Ambulance appeal – please make sure your kids know what to do in an emergency

Following a series of children as young as five saving the life of their loved ones, North West Ambulance Service is asking parents, guardians, relatives of children to make sure they know to call 999 if they are with somebody who becomes seriously ill or injured.

The service has released a series of real junior live saver stories praising children who have called 999. It is part of a wider initiative in which the trust has created an educational resource, the Ambulance Academy, to help guide children, young people and teachers on how to use its services. Of the stories told, one is that of nine-year-old Lucas Latham from Manchester who spotted a gentleman had fallen at the side of the road and took immediate actions to help him.

In June this year, Anna who works in the 111 service had picked up her little boy Lucas from school and the pair where driving home when Anna heard Lucas shout to pull the car over and to call 999.

Lucas had spotted an elderly gentleman lying on the floor with nobody round him with what looked like a serious head injury. Anna pulled the car over safely and the pair jumped out to help the man and rang for help.

Whilst Anna called 999, Lucas continued to talk to the gentlemen to make sure he was okay and waited with him and wouldn’t leave him until he knew he was safe.

Anna said: “My partner and I both work for the ambulance service and I have always had conversations with Lucas about calling 999 and caring for people, so you could say it is in his blood.

“I am so proud of him and what he did that day. He is such an assertive, kind and caring lad and he was genuinely concerned about this gentleman.”

Talking about Lucas’ actions, Ged Blezard, Director of Operations, said: “Teaching our children and future generations the right reason to call 999 could save your life - we have had callers as young as four call us because their parent is unconscious.

“Lucas acted calmy in this situation, the help he gave the gentleman who he had collapsed on the street was remarkable. It is heart-warming to hear how he cared for the gentleman’s welfare. 

“We are asking parents and guardians to make sure they take five minutes to sit down with their children and explain when to call 999, especially if the adult is not awake. It is important that children know their address and postcode so that if they need to call 999 we can get an ambulance to them as quickly as possible.”

Make sure your children know:

• How to call 999
• Their home address
• How to open the front door in an emergency

To access all the information your child needs about calling 999 visit: www.nwas.nhs.uk/ambulance-academy/

Contact communications@nwas.nhs.uk for more information.