Student hailed a lifesaver (From Barry And District News)

Student hailed a lifesaver

A BARRY College student used his first aid skills to save his girlfriend's life after she stopped breathing.

Gareth Chamberlain, aged 21, from Canton in Cardiff, put her into the recovery position when she fell unconscious.

Gareth studies for the personal trainer award at Barry College and completed a first aid at work qualification.

His girlfriend Katherine Board, also 21 and from Cardiff, suffers from asthma and called Gareth in the early hours of Sunday morning when she had breathing difficulties.

"It was 4.30am and Katherine started holding her chest, unable to breathe. I tried to calm her down and told her to sit down and have some water.

"I soon realised this wasn't working and she was panicking. Things got worse and she collapsed and fell unconscious, knocking her head on the floor."

Gareth's mother phoned for an ambulance and Gareth took the phone from her to speak to the operator.

He added: "I couldn't stand around waiting for the paramedics with her lying unconscious not responding. So I said to the operator'shall I put her in the recovery position?' The operator said I could but only if I was 100 per cent sure what I was doing.

"I explained I'd studied first aid on my college course and so I moved her - I was so relieved to hear her take a big gasp of air."