A QUICK-thinking and confident teenage air cadet from Rugby came to the rescue of a senior citizen who was bleeding heavily from his head after a fall.
Jimmy Boughey, 16, put his First Aid training to good use when he was first on the scene after seeing the elderly gentleman fall in Dunsmore Avenue, Hillmorton.
Cool-headed Jimmy, an Air Cadet from 29F (Rugby) Air Training Corps, said: “I ran over to the gentleman and It was obvious that he had suffered an injury that would require professional attention.
“I applied direct pressure to a 5cm cut to the back of his head that was bleeding heavily while reassuring him. An ambulance was called by a bystander which arrived after about 25 minutes.
“I spoke at length to the injured gentleman and his neighbour and tried to put their minds at ease while we waited for the ambulance to arrive. They asked where I had learnt first aid and I told them about my training at the Squadron.
“It is fantastic to be able to put my First Aid training to use. At no point did I feel unsure about what needed to be done.”
He added he was glad to hear the gentleman made a full recovery.
Jimmy’s Squadron Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Gillian Short, said: “I am extremely proud of the way Cadet Boughey handled the situation. We always put a lot of focus on First Aid training at 29F Squadron and it has paid off here.
“I was able to speak to the gentleman concerned later that day and he was very complimentary of Cadet Boughey’s skills and the way he dealt with things.”
All cadets receive basic ‘Heartstart’ training when they join their units and most, including Cadet Boughey, progress onto completing the St. John Ambulance Junior First Aid award.
First Aid simulations are run frequently as part of activities and many cadets go further by entering competitions across the region to represent their Squadron.
