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BBC 999 Baby Lifesaver Roadshow

Lakeside Thurrock, Grays, 29th September 1998

Here is a description of my experiences at the "BBC 999 Baby Lifesaver Roadshow", Lakeside Thurrock, Essex. This was an opportunity for the public to observe regular demonstrations of Baby and Child lifesaving techniques and ask questions afterwards. In addition, people who were interested in further training courses could leave their names and addresses so that they could be later contacted by their nearest local training organisation.

The sessions were led by a master of ceremony who talked the audience through baby lifesaving, with instructors simultaneously demonstrating the technique on baby manikins. After each demonstration, instructors would then discuss the techniques and answer questions from the public. Each session was well attended and often repeated for those who had arrived late.

Instructors at the event I attended (representing St. John Ambulance, Grays) were predominantly from the Red Cross, with a few from the Royal Life Saving Society. This event was part of a nationwide roadshow at major shopping centres around the UK during the weekend of 28-29th September 1998. Depending on the region, these roadshows were staffed by instructors and helpers from the various voluntary first aid training organisations, i.e. St. John Ambulance, the Red Cross, and the Royal Life Saving Society UK.

The syllabus was specific to the event and covered :-

• checking safety, checking response, and making the 999 call
• what to do if casualty does not respond
• what to do if casualty is breathing
• dealing with a casualty who is not breathing
• dealing with a casualty who is not breathing and has no pulse
• summary

For more information on the event and organisations involved to contact for lifesaver training, visit the BBC 999 Baby Lifesaver Roadshow page.

Paul Knighton
Heartstart Thurrock scheme co-ordinator
heartstart_thurrock@yahoo.com

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