A Portishead Army cadet was commended for using his first aid skills to help an elderly woman who sustained a head injury.
16-year-old Cpl Lauren Rae and her boyfriend George Richards, a cadet with St. John Ambulance, ran to the aid of the women barefoot after a friend informed them of the victim.
Upon arrival, Lauren found that an ambulance had been called for the 61-year-old woman, who was conscious but was bleeding from her head.
Lauren and her friend rushed to the crime scene barefoot.
– Credit: Somerset Army Cadets
Lauren, on the Somerset Army Cadet Force’s Portishead platoon, told the Times, “I didn’t have time to think and just took responsibility.
“When you see someone in this situation, you feel responsible for their health and I’ve made sure I stay with her until the ambulance arrives.”
The cadet then checked the lady’s pulse and found it was weakening, so she decided to call ambulance again and ask for an estimated time of arrival.
At 12:45 p.m., a police car pulled up to help Lauren and the group. They found that the victim had passed out and called a police doctor on duty.
Somerset Cadet cadets competing in the first aid booth in The Rifles National Cadet Competition 2016.
– Credit: Somerset Army Cadets
Lauren added, “I sat with her for about three hours before help came, wrapping her in blankets to keep her warm.
“I’ve always been interested in first aid and see myself as a paramedic or army medic in the future.”
Lauren’s platoon commander told the Times that the group took pride in Lauren’s bravery in the ordeal.
HRH The Duke of Kent watches a class of cadets conduct a first aid lesson following the opening of the Joint Cadet Center in Nailsea in 2014.
– Credit: Somerset Army Cadets
Nick Broderick said, “Lauren joined us four years ago and has proven herself with us during that time.
“We’re incredibly proud of them and when you hear things like that it’s worth all the hard work we put in.”
It was later revealed that the victim had been looking for her lost cat before she tripped over a ditch and hit her head on the concrete road.
For more information about the Cadets or how to join the group, log on to www.armycadets.com/county/somerset-acf. at
