Jacob joins the St John Ambulance Cadets

A 10-year-old boy who received emergency treatment from St John Ambulance Cadets after fracturing his skull is following in their footsteps by signing up to be a volunteer for the first aid charity.

Jacob Girling is now a fully fledged Cadet after joining the Torpoint unit of St John Ambulance just a few month after the scooter accident which saw him get vital medical attention from three experienced Cadets.

First aiders quickly on the scene to help Jacob

Jacob and his family had been visiting a football club fete in Torpoint on 24 July and he was riding his scooter back to the family's home in Windsor Terrace when the accident happened.

St John Ambulance Cadet Ryan Moore, 14, saw Jacob lying injured in a playpark near the football club where he and fellow volunteers Anthony Durrell, 20, and Josh Tack, 17, were providing first aid cover.

He alerted the others and all three raced to the scene where they were confronted by a shocking sight - Jacob was covered in blood, fluid was leaking from his skull and he had vomited.

The trio worked together to clear the vomit, examine Jacob, treat his injuries, and give him oxygen and take readings from his pupils and pulse. When the ambulance arrived they relayed all the information they had recorded to the paramedics.

Jacob was taken to Derriford Hospital where he spent four days before being sent home to convalesce.

Learning life saving skills

Now fully recovered, he has decided to learn the skills that one day could see him help someone just like Ryan, Anthony and Josh did.

His dad Paul said the whole incident had inspired Jacob. ‘It really motivated Jacob to want to learn first aid. He has been to several meetings so far and is absolutely loving it, coming home full of the information they are learning.

‘As a new Cadet he has been teamed up with a ‘buddy’ who just so happens to be Josh, one of the Cadets who helped him.

‘We think the speedy intervention of the Cadets helped Jacob make such a remarkable recovery so that has spurred him on as well.’

Cornwall St John Ambulance Cadets all learn first aid as part of a varied programme of activities designed to help them fulfil their true potential. Older Cadets are able to put their first aid skills into practice, helping adult volunteers provide medical cover at public events.

For information about becoming a Cadet with Cornwall St John Ambulance please call 01726 815967.