A PIONEERING course will give parents the opportunity to learn first aid techniques that could save their child's life.

Training organisation LAN Safety Services has signed a partnership agreement with South Trafford College to teach the life saving skills.

As well as parents, the paediatric first aid course will benefit schools, nurseries and businesses, as it meets the health and safety executive requirement for work place emergency training.

Garry Marshall, head of training for LAN, says the course will teach people how to act if the worst happens - such as their child stopping breathing.

While there are courses available to teach basic life support for adults, few people realise that skills can be learnt that are equally effective on infants and children, he adds.

Techniques have been developed that account for the differences between children and adults and the infant and children first aid course gives people the opportunity to learn and practise these skills.

He adds: "All of our classes include basic life support, control of bleeding and accident and injury assessment, but the course that we are particularly excited about is the infant and child course. This gives people the opportunity to learn essential life support for children and babies. I believe everybody who cares for children under eight will benefit from attending this course."

Courses will take place throughout the South Trafford area and will be available evenings, weekends and to coincide with school hours. Anybody interested should contact LAN Safety on 286 2992.

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