The St John Ambulance has been treating the walking wounded for more than 900 years, from the ancient battlefields of the Holy Land to the dancefloors of Dartford. MICHAEL REILLY spent a day seeing what goes into first aid training.

ST JOHN Ambulance Kent now has a training venue to match the Olympic efforts of its volunteers.

The Olympic-standard Dartford Judo Club, Cotton Lane, Dartford, provides the setting for all of its health, safety and first aid training.

At a cost of £4.25m, the venue is primarily a grand setting for Judo training and events.

The conference room, where the St John training courses take place, can cater for up to 56 people and has video and DVD playback facilities.

The first aid course, which I took part in, provides a comprehensive introduction to first aid and is aimed at those who are going to be a nominated first aider in their workplace.

All UK employers have a legal obligation to make first aid provision for their employees, and St John trains in excess of 11,000 people a year.

The aim of the course is to train people to walk towards an accident or incident with confidence, rather than turn their backs in fear.

The intensive course lasts four days and teaches people how to deal with a first aid emergency.

The course content is a mix of practical and theory work.

The morning was spent watching a projector screen and candidates were shown how to treat victims of different accidents, accompanied by a demonstration from the course trainer on what to do.

The course covers how to use a first aid kit, resuscitation, choking, heart attacks, bleeding, burns, poisoning, fractures and shock.

Successful candidates receive a Health and Safety Executive-approved certificate, valid for three years, but must pass a practical skills exam at the end of the course.

Sue Endean, from Hartley, has been a St John first aid trainer for six years.

She said: "People do find the course useful and take a lot from it.

"It shows you how to deal with real-life emergencies and I find people enjoy it.

"We are delighted with our new venue."

During my short stay, I suffered a broken arm and leg, a cut head with concussion and a bloody nose - all of which were pain-free.

Scenarios are created in groups and the trainee first-aiders attend to the injury as realistically as possible by applying bandages and making the "victim" as comfortable as they can be.

Kevin Bassett, of May Avenue, Orpington, was one of the people on the course.

The 38-year-old supervisor had been sent on the course by his joinery company.

He said: "You learn a lot of skills on the course, not just to use at work, but for everyday life as well.

"I have enjoyed it and would recommend doing it."

To book a place on the course or to find out more information, call 01732 871666 or email training@kent.sja.org.uk