Mum’s new first aid skills saved her baby
AMUM saved her baby’s life when he stopped breathing – just 48 hours after learning vital first aid skills.
Caroline and Jon Crotty had gone to register the birth of their five-weekold son, Kevin, when he suddenly stopped breathing in his car seat.
The tiny baby had only been in the seat for five minutes when he started to turn blue.
Incredibly, mum Caroline, from Poynton, had been to a two-hour-long Mini First Aid Class just 48 hours earlier.
With her new skills fresh in her mind, she managed to remain calm enough to give Kevin baby CPR.
Her swift actions saved Kevin’s life – and the little boy has now made a full recovery.
Caroline is now set to become a fully qualified paediatric first aider.
She said: “Our baby boy is doing brilliantly, he’s such a happy baby. I’m so pleased I did the course.
“The doctors said they would never be able to say for sure why he stopped breathing. They said he may have choked on mucus while crying or just decided it was too difficult to breathe and gave up.
“They said it’s very unlikely he’ll do it again.”
“The course saved my little boy’s life. If I hadn’t have done it, I would have panicked and the outcome could have been very different.”
Caroline, who is origi- nally from Wilmslow, was taught first aid by trainer Gemma O’Hara.
Gemma, who is from Middleton, north Manchester, and now lives in Didsbury, is an ex-primary school teacher and former airplane cabin crew member.
She trained as a paediatric first aid trainer just over a year ago after having her first baby.
Gemma said she was concerned about how many of her friends – who were also new parents – had no first aid training and saw a way to bring her teaching experience and aviation first aid training together.
Gemma said: “I’m delighted Caroline came to my Mini First Aid class that day. I’ve had a few different careers, but absolutely nothing can beat the job satisfaction that came from hearing this news and knowing that baby Kevin is okay.
“I can’t stress enough to parents – whichever training provider they choose – to ensure they do some baby and child first aid training.
“We all hope to never use it but it really could make all the difference in an emergency.”
The incident also made Caroline determined to learn more first aid.
Gemma has invited her to attend her next 12 hour Paediatric First Aid course, which is aimed at child care professionals.
Gemma teaches twohour Mini First Aid sessions for parents across south Manchester, Stockport, Wilmslow and Trafford at various venues.
Private classes can also be arranged at home. All classes are £20 per person.
Parents are welcome to take pre-crawling babies along.
See manchestersouth. minifirstaid.co.uk for more information.
‘If I hadn’t done it I would have panicked’