When 17 year-old Lee Craven left his home in Hook, Hampshire to attend a friend's party in Woking, he had no idea that he might return home a hero. But his quick thinking saved a friend's life.
During the party, Lee's friend Max ventured into the garden for some fresh air. Max walked out of the garden onto what he thought was a byway - it was in fact the frozen canal. It immediately cracked underfoot and Max plummeted into the freezing water.
The current moved him away from the hole in the ice and he was in danger of drowning. Lee heard the screams and immediately sought a way to help. He wrapped his legs around a nearby tree stump and leant out across the ice to reach Max. Finally, he pulled him to safety.
Lee noticed that Max was displaying early signs of hypothermia. He remembered all his first aid training and ensured that all the correct procedures to bring Max's body temperature back up gradually were undertaken, knowing if the body temperature rose too quickly Max could have gone into shock, which in some circumstances can be fatal. Max made a full recovery.
We believe that it’s absolutely unacceptable that so many people die needlessly – because no one could give them first aid when they needed it.
St John Ambulance teaches people first aid – about 800,000 last year alone – so that they can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.
As a charity, we’re committed to making sure more people can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved. To do that, we need your help. For more information visit www.sja.org.uk
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