Awards for air cadet instructors' actions in emergency situations

Sean Ashworth and Conor Reed received commendations for first aid action in the community from Wing Commander David Harris, Officer Commanding Durham/Northumberland Wing Air Cadets, at the wing’s presentation night.

While travelling home from a session at the squadron, Conor noticed a young couple tending to a female who was lying on the ground on a busy street.

He gathered details of what had happened, made the scene safe and was then successful in getting the young woman the professional help she needed.

He recruited the help of passers-by in retrieving a defibrillator and calling for an ambulance.

Conor said: “The training provided to me by the air cadets meant I was more than capable of delivering the immediate life-saving treatment this female required and recognising the signs of her condition.”

Sean was on a bike ride with his father when they came across a man attending to another male who was lying the on the side of the road in cycling clothes.

Thanks to his first aid training, Sean was able to approach the situation in a logical manner and he immediately established what had happened and made sure the area was as safe as possible.

After managing his airway, the casualty did eventually come round. But he had suffered significant facial injuries and was showing signs of serious concussion.

Along with an off-duty nurse, Sean kept the casualty talking and calm. At this point, an ambulance arrived and took over his care.