WHEN someone stops breathing every minute counts in the battle to save their life.

But many of us would probably be clueless as to what to do.

Thankfully, organisations such as the St John Ambulance are on hand to teach the basic first aid skills which can help to keep someone alive until paramedics arrive.

Although I did a first aid course about four years ago, I struggle to remember any of what I was shown at the best of times, let alone in an emergency.

So I joined about a dozen other people for a Essential First Aid course with St John Ambulance to brush up my skills.

Schools and community trainer Michelle Bayford led the course, which consisted of three-hours of theory and practical work.

We first went through what you should keep in a first aid course, with many of us being surprised you should not keep ibuprofen or paracetamol in there - in case the patient has a reaction - but were pleased when we managed to tick off most of the essential items such as plasters, scissors, dressings and gloves.

We then moved on to learning how to put someone into the recovery position; first checking for a response, their breathing and making sure nothing sharp was in their pockets before moving them into place.

We swiftly moved on to CPR, which is essential in keeping someone alive if they have stopped breathing.

Using special dummies we learnt how to perform the chest compressions and breaths and later used different dummies to learn about what to do when someone is choking (pictured).

We were also shown how to do each movement on a child and a baby which was daunting but useful as each differed to the adult movement.

I hope to never be in the situation where I have to use what I learn but, thanks to The St John Ambulance, I feel I might at least be able to give someone a fighting chance.