The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Cpl David Wait, who has been recognised by St John Ambulance with a national award.
A teenaged corporal at Spalding Air Cadets has been recognised by St John Ambulance for his actions to try to save a life.
In June last year, David Wait (pictured) came across a man suffering a cardiac arrest in Spalding. Having done first aid training at air cadets, he immediately went to offer assistance.
Working alongside an East Midlands Ambulance Service Emergency Care Practitioner and a LIVES (Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service) responder, David performed CPR and basic life support to the patient.
He also assisted with equipment, helped lift the patient onto the stretcher and cleared the area.
David was 16 at the time and in the middle of his GCSE exams. He completed the third and final level of his first aid training in January 2013.
Air Cadets Officer Angie Bone regularly delivers first aid training to the cadets including the St John Ambulance course. She is also a volunteer with Spalding St John Ambulance Unit.
She said: “We at the squadron are all very proud of David’s actions, he showed extreme calm in a high pressure situation.
“Sadly, we found out afterwards that the gentleman passed away but what David did gave him the very best chances of survival.”
David was presented with the St John Ambulance Young First Aider of the Year Award on Friday.
He said: “I feel really proud to receive this award.
“When I saw the man I knew straight away that, as a trained first aider, I needed to help.
“I am so pleased that I had the chance to learn first aid at Cadets; I think every young person should learn first aid. This incident has inspired me to want to pursue a career as a paramedic.”
The teenager was acknowledged for his actions by the East Midlands Ambulance Service last year.
