Children splash out to help the IMPS

Jul 4 2008 Chester Chronicle

PUPILS at Tattenhall Park Primary School raised more than £165 by holding a sponsored swim for the Injury Minimization Programme for Schools (IMPS).

Helen Lee, IMPS co-ordinator, was presented with the cheque at a special ceremony at the school.

IMPS, supported by St John Ambulance in Cheshire, delivers free training in essential first aid and accident prevention to more than 3,000 local Year 6 schoolchildren each year.

Specifically, children are taught basic life support including CPR and the recovery position. They watch an accident prevention video which covers how to deal with burns, electrocution, bleeding, fractures and choking.

They also go on a familiarisation trip to the accident and emergency department of the Countess of Chester Hospital.

IMPS has been running since 2002 in Cheshire and has achieved stunning results – at least four of the students have used the first aid skills they acquired to help save lives in emergency situations.

For details about the programme and St John Ambulance training courses, contact Helen Lee on 01244 383407 or e-mail helen.lee@cheshire. sja.org.uk.