First-aid experts are helping students at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) gain confidence in helping out when people fall ill with new free training sessions.
As part of #DMUlocal - a new initiative which uses academic skills from both staff and students at DMU for the benefit of the wider community - the sessions are being offered to students by St John Ambulance volunteers.
The sessions cover resuscitation, choking and severe bleeding, along with training on the use of defibrillators - electrical equipment which can help restart somebody's heart.
Defibrillators can be found in many public places - with some on DMU's campus - and can save lives, when used properly. But few people are trained and confident in their use.
The sessions are being given on a number of dates in different locations around DMU's campus and places can be booked online.
RELATED NEWS
DMU's Square Mile has changed some of our students lives - see how
See some of the ways our #DMUlocal project is making Leicester a better place to live
Free one-to-one exercise classes offered as part of diabetes research
St John Ambulance volunteer and Projects and Outreach Coordinator at DMUs Square Mile, Amir Mahmood said: "As part of #DMUlocal, we are putting a big emphasis on health and wellbeing. Around 60% of people just don't know how to give basic first aid, which can, in some situations save someone's life.
"I volunteer for St John Ambulance because I'm helping other people and learning a new skill. I cover events like Leicester City matches and big gigs at the Capital FM arena.
"I love doing it and want to encourage as many people as possible to learn first aid. It really makes a difference."
Accounting and Finance student Shyam Raikundalia said he had decided to go along because he wanted to be able to help in any first aid situation.
The 19-year-old said: "I feel like I've learned quite a lot today, definitely, things like airways and the recovery position. I think knowing what to do just gives you more confidence in situations.
"I heard about this through Square Mile; I try to be as active as I can through the project and regularly get emails from them."
Also at the session was 22-year-old Nicole Lewis, studying English. She said: "It's been really helpful for me, this is my first time learning first aid. This is stuff you can do every day if I see somebody pass out and I'm passing by, well I know what to do now.
"That makes a big difference to how you feel in a situation like that."
Posted on Wednesday 30 December 2015