CHOKING, bleeding, breaks and burns – would you know what to do if your child needed you in an emergency?

It's a scenario we think will never happen to us. But for many Dorset parents, it does.

Mini First Aid is helping to teach vital life saving skills in case of emergency to parents, grandparents and anyone who wishes to learn.

Kate Ball founded Mini First Aid two years ago to offer unique first aid classes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Now, she has a dedicated team of 12 first aid trainers working around the country to help educate others in first aid for babies and children.

Mumpreneur Sue Fisher is the Mini First Aid trainer for Dorchester. Living in Sherborne, she launched the franchise in Dorset in April after working in clinical and commercial healthcare.

She was inspired to set up her new business venture having heard from a friend about the success of Mini First Aid.

Before joining, Sue worked in Australia for six years in a demanding role recruiting for high level medical posts.

Sue knew this kind of role wouldn’t allow her to spend much time with her two young children. She wanted a flexible but rewarding career which she could build herself.

When she found out about Mini First Aid, Sue said she knew she could make it work.

Her first class was fully booked immediately with more classes to follow.

She strongly believes everyone should have first aid knowledge in an emergency involving children.

Sue said: "They are the most important people in your life. I feel hugely passionate that every parent should know the basics."

From adventuring in the woods and play areas to being in the garden at home, Sue believes there are many potential dangers to families, which is why it is so important for people to be first aid trained.

The first aid class covers what to do if a baby or child is choking, bleeding, suffering from breaks or burns, having febrile convulsions, meningitis awareness and how to do CPR.

Sue said: "Choking is the main reason people come, it frightens every parent. They come for the experience and confidence.

"I think the press coverage of children choking contributes to people being scared to move their baby onto solid food and weaning."

Sue said Mini First Aid teaches parents first aid for children from newborn to puberty.

First aid for babies and children is different to first aid for adults. Sue said the choking technique for babies and child CPR is different – for example, on a small child you would only use one hand for compressions.

Sue said: "They always end up saying 'I didn't realise that's how you did it'.

"People can look overwhelmed. But by practising, it's how they realise what to do."

Confidence is key. Sue said the people who attend the classes are usually first time mums or expecting a baby and are wary of what to do if something goes wrong.

Mini First Aid believes the actions carried in the few minutes while waiting for an ambulance can be key to saving someone's life.

Sue said: "Everyone at first is shocked, but we give them the knowledge and confidence."

She's already looking to the future and expanding her business. Sue's keen to offer Mini First Aid courses at military bases in the area; as well as introducing corporate classes for employees during their lunch breaks and comprehensive paediatric first aid training for childcare providers.

Sue said: “I absolutely love being a mum but am so excited to be developing a new business venture for myself."

*See minifirstaid.co.uk for information on the classes.