LEARN how to save a life, that is the aim of a leading first aid charity which is coming to Hitchin next week to give demonstrations.

St John Ambulance has launched Save a Life September to equip as many people as possible with vital first aid skills, and is coming to Hitchin for its Hertfordshire campaign.

As well as appearing at North Hertfordshire College’s Hitchin campus on Friday, September 9, between 11am and 4pm, it will be in the Market Square the Saturday after between 10am and 4pm.

Brian Wingate, country executive officer for Herts St John Ambulance said: “Learning first aid is one of the single most important things you can do in your life. You never know when you may need it - at work, at home, in school, playing sport.

“With basic first aid skills, anyone can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved, and what could be more important than saving someone’s life?”

Research carried out by the charity shows that up to 150,000 people die every year in situations where first aid could have given them the chance to live, including 900 people who choke to death, 2,500 who asphyxiate from a blocked airway, and 29,000 who die from heart attacks.

The charity also found that 58 per cent of people wouldn’t know what to do if faced with a medical emergency, and a quarter would do nothing.

“By launching Save a Life September and holding first aid demonstrations across the country, we want to reach as many people as possible so that more people are equipped with the skills to save a life,” added Brian.

“Anyone who needs first aid should get it and armed with this knowledge, we can all be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”

Different techniques will be demonstrated at the two events, for incidents including choking, CPR on adults and children, heart attacks, bleeding and the recovery position.

Free pocket-sized guides also be issued to people to carry in case of emergency.