Posted by By Oliver Milne Political Correspondent for The Mirror 00:00, 26 JAN 2018UPDATED09:16, 26 JAN 2018 on Jan 24th 2021
Boy, 9, saves choking dad's life using first aid skills he learned in school less than 24 hours earlier
Boy, 9, saves choking dad's life using first aid skills he learned in school less than 24 hours earlier
Schoolboy Jack Lowis managed use what he had been taught - but research shows just 5 percent of adults have the skills and confidence to provide first aid in emergency situations
Just the day before, Jack Lowis, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, had taken a first aid lesson from St John Ambulance .
The very next morning, Jack was forced to keep his cool during the life threatening situation at the breakfast table - delivering the first aid that saved his dad's life.
Jack's dad Keith said once he realized he was starting to choke he began to get anxious.
He said: "I was sat having my breakfast and the next thing you know I realized I had something lodged in my throat.
"I really started panicking"
But Jack knew what to do and started slapping his dad on the back.
The nine-year-old said: "He was coughing really badly, I asked him if he was choking and he nodded.
"In the big first aid lesson we learnt what to do if someone was choking, so I gave him a couple of backslaps."
And it was just when Jack was about to give up that he managed to dislodge the cereal.
Keith said: "Just before he phoned the ambulance he did a couple more slaps on the back and thankfully that is what saved me.
"I think the work that St John Ambulance do is vital - indirectly they saved my life.
"From my point of view I can never ever thank him Jack enough for what he has done for me."
But his son was just glad his dad was safe.
Jack said: "I felt amazing when I knew my dad was going to be okay, because he means everything to me."
The amazing story comes as research shows just 5 percent of adults have the skills and confidence to provide first aid in emergency situations.
Three of the UK’s largest charities are seeking public support for first aid to become a compulsory part of the school curriculum so more children can become lifesavers like Jack.
St John Ambulance, The British Red Cross and the British Heart Foundation – who together form the Every Child A Lifesaver Coalition – are calling on people to put pressure on the government and push for first aid skills to be taught in all schools.
Jack's Headteacher at Bishops Prince Bishops Primary School Lynn George praised St John Ambulance's Big First Aid Lesson scheme for giving pupils the knowledge to save a life.