Published: 16th July 2025.
Last updated: 16th July 2025.
Author: Cara Sherratt
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When her father collapsed, Douaa acted fast to save his life. Thanks to the first aid training she had completed with St John Ambulance just weeks earlier, she knew exactly what to do in the critical moments that followed. Not only did the first aid training teach Douaa lifesaving skills; it gave her the confidence to stay calm, assess the situation and take the immediate action required to ultimately save her father’s life. Hearing Douaa’s story demonstrates just how vital obtaining first aid knowledge is, not only for emergencies close to home but for empowering everyday people to become lifesavers when it matters most.
How Douaa Learned Lifesaving Skills
“I learnt how to use CPR in my first aid training course - a skill you hope you never have to use. Two weeks after my training I was in a position to save my father who suffered a cardiac arrest at home. I had to tap into my training, tune into the adrenaline, switch off and give it everything I had using what I had learnt. Thank you to Jill for equipping me with the skills, the confidence, and the clarity to be in a position to save my father’s life. 15 mins of CPR meant my father now lives today to share the story.”
“2 days may seem like not enough to learn all the right skills to save a life, help someone in need, or support a colleague in distress. But from personal experience, the trained staff at St John ambulance have, to leaving the training with all the confidence and skills you would ever need to be able to take action in any scenario when needed. It was an interactive, informative and useful 2 days of training and I’m extremely grateful for the time dedicated to teaching me such important life skills.”
How First Aid Training Directly Saved A Life
“I walked out of the 2-day course feeling confident I could manage cuts and wounds in the office, but never did I think I’d be actually have to perform CPR. Three weeks after my training, I found myself in a situation that left me no option but to perform CPR to my father, right outside our home.
The longest 15 minutes of my life ended up saving his life.
Anyone who has had to do CPR (even on a manikin) knows it’s tough, but in that moment, adrenaline takes over and you just do what needs to be done.
A massive thank you to St John Ambulance, especially to Jill, for equipping me with the skills, confidence, and clarity to be able to perform when faced with a difficult situation. It was an absolute blessing to have had this training and I would recommend everyone to familiarise themselves with these life changing skills that St John Ambulance provide. Thank you.”
Book First Aid Training Today
Stories like Douaa’s highlight how critical first aid and CPR training can be. In an emergency, every second counts and having the right skills can mean the difference between life and death. Whether you're a parent, coworker, or passerby, undertaking and keeping up to date with comprehensive First Aid Training ensures you feel empowered to act when it matters most.
Browse our range of learning options and First Aid Courses below:
- First aid at work (3-day fully comprehensive in-person training)
- First Aid At Work Requalification (2-day in-person certificate renewal training)
- Emergency First Aid At Work (1-day emergency procedures in-person training)
Combine Online Learning with In-Person Training:
- Blended First Aid At Work (online plus 2 days in-classroom training)
- Blended First Aid at Work Requalification (online plus 1 day in-person training)
- Blended Emergency First Aid At Work (online plus 0.5 days in-person training)
Finally, we’d like to thank Douaa for sharing her story with us and helping demonstrate just how important having the proper skills and training can be in emergency situations. If you have a story of putting your first aid skills into practice, please use this link to share it with us today.
