RESEARCH has found nearly half of parents in East Devon can not deliver basic first aid training. As children prepare for the summer holidays, the worrying figure comes as first-aid provider St John Ambulance warns accidents at home during the break could

RESEARCH has found nearly half of parents in East Devon can not deliver basic first aid training.

As children prepare for the summer holidays, the worrying figure comes as first-aid provider St John Ambulance warns accidents at home during the break could be more serious than they need be.

The voluntary organisation claims the accidents could even prove fatal due to a lack of first aid skills amongst parents.

Sue Petherick, from St John Ambulance, said: "This is worrying news and we hope people will act now before it's too late and book themselves on one of our courses."

According to the survey, carried out by Elastoplast, almost 75 per cent of parents in the area felt confident dealing with bruises, cuts, grazes and nosebleeds.

The research, however, shows that their first-aid confidence plummeted when faced with broken bones, choking, head injuries and other more serious incidents.

The findings also found one in ten parents had been in a real life emergency situation when they did not know how to help their child.

Sue said: "This is not an encouraging situation and particularly with school holidays approaching, we hope our low-cost short courses will be just what people need to learn new skills."

Exmouth St John Ambulance wants to raise �40,000 to help buy a new 4x4 vehicle to be used for front-line medical use.

If you would like to donate money to help them reach the target, contact Stuart Brown on 01395 446708.

And, for more information on the first-aid provider's course, visit their website at www.sja.org.uk