A YOUNG first aider from Ferndown has been praised by paramedics after helping a man who suffered a seizure in a barber shop.

Ferndown Middle School student Max Bateman, who has been a member of the St John Ambulance Cadet Unit for nearly three years, came to the aid of a man taken ill at a Wimborne Road barbers on December 1.

The 12-year-old was in the waiting room when he heard the man fall to the floor.

“I was waiting for a haircut when I heard someone collapse and someone say to call for an ambulance,” he said.

“I went around to where the man was, explained that I had been first aid trained and offered to help.

“There’s nothing you can do while someone is suffering from a seizure so I just kept the area clear and protected his head.

“Once the seizure had stopped, I put him in the recovery position and kept observing him until the paramedic arrived.”

Max’s dad Paul said the whole family is very proud of the young first aider.

“Max takes things in his stride,” Mr Bateman said.

“He is quite a quiet and reserved guy, and when he sees something like this he’s happy to step in. He keeps a very cool head.”

The youngster joined St John as he wants to become a police officer as an adult, and felt it would be a useful skill.

Mr Bateman said: “This was the most serious incident he’s ever dealt with.

“Max is still young, and so he tends to deal with cuts and bruises and things like that, but he remembered his training and did very well.”

Lead paramedic Tom Mc Mahon, who attended the incident, has written to St John Ambulance to praise Max for his calm response.

“I was particularly impressed with his general manner in not being overbearing in his management of the incident,” he wrote.

“Also, his calmness in adversity influenced others, many years his senior, and stopped any panicking.

“He showed true professionalism and is a credit to St John Ambulance.”

Regional youth manager for the charity Dave Christophers said: “I’m very proud of Max and how he responded – we would urge as many people as possible to follow in Max’s footsteps and learn the skills that could be the difference between a life lost or saved.”

For information on how to become a St John Ambulance cadet, or first aid training in Dorset, visit www/sja.org.uk or call 01305 751169.