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Would you know what to do if confronted by a medical emergency? A car crash, heart attack or shock victim?

The origins of St. John Ambulance date back 900 years to the city of Jerusalem, where a set of Benedictine monks set up a small hospital close to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

In the 11th century, growing numbers of Christians were making the long and difficult pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem and the brothers of the hospital cared for many of those that were arriving weak and ill from their arduous journey. Today St. John is a modern, vigorous health care organisation with members in over 40 countries worldwide.

The aim is that everyone who needs it should receive first aid from those around him or her and in order to meet this target St. John provides a charitable first aid service to local communities, appearing at many events, alongside providing comprehensive training for all.

There are numerous cases every year where first aid training has saved lives. The most recent and notable recognition of the work of St. John comes in the wake of the London bombings in July 2005. To assist with the aftermath of the London bombings, St John provided over 100 fully trained volunteers, 37 ambulances, 20 mobile treatment units, a control unit and minibuses to the scenes of the explosions.

Being aware and informed should not be confined to the ‘adult’ population, young people make up a large part of the St. John organisation and there are specially tailored projects that children from the age of five can get involved with and help.

St. John receive no Government funding and so rely on the monies earned from running training courses, small charges for certain public and private events and donations from the public.

If you would like to find out more about first aid training and tips, or how you can get involved with the organisation please visit their website: www.sja.org.uk