First aid classes offered via video calls to help Doncaster parents learn CPR

Joanne Concannon, aged 45, NHS worker and business owner from Rotherham is teaching paediatric first aid to parents through Zoom.

She said: “I usually teach face to face classes across South West Yorkshire but due to Covid-19 we have gone online.

“It’s exactly the same class but without the practical aspects.”

Joanne usually teaches her classes named ‘Keep a Beat’ across Doncaster, Rotherham, Pontefract and Barnsley.

She covers CPR, burns and falls and how to help a child in an emergency situation.

“It’s about learning skills that keep people alive - it’s better to know it and never need to use it than needing it and not knowing it,” she said.

“Especially with CPR - if someone has to wait for an ambulance for eight minutes and does not have CPR or a defibrillator their chances of survival are 38 per cent.

“But if they have CPR and the use of a community defibrillator it jumps to 75 per cent.”

The classes are targeted towards parents, expectant parents and grandparents and Joanne welcomes children joining in the online session.

Classes are currently set at £15 for one and a half hours - with the option to pay £5 in the future to attend a class to practise the practical skills.

Joanne said: “At the moment there are potentially a lot more people needing ambulances which means the need for this knowledge is increasingly important.

“Most people are at home at the moment and have the free time to learn these essential skills.”

Joanne is offering morning and afternoon classes with a maximum of six people in one class so that questions can be asked easily.

“First aid classes can be scary but I promise that mine are relaxing and laid back,” she said.

“Feel free to ask anything you want.”

Joanne also offers private classes for family groups.

You can join up to her class here.

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