Quick-thinking Lara, 17, saves friend thanks to first aid training

The quick-thinking 17-year-old from Wolverhampton sprang into action when her friend Febbie Sulumba keeled over with a life-threatening ruptured appendix during a psychology lesson at Moseley Park school in Bilston.

Thanks to her first aid training, which she received while working at the Bert Williams Leisure Centre in Bilston, Lara knew to lay Febbie down with her feet raised and keep her comforted and calm, taking to her until paramedics arrived.

Now Lara has received a Diana Award for her courageous actions, which was presented to her at the school by Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden.

Lara, who lives in Bilston, said: "I deal with a lot of first aid incidents at work, so when Febbie collapsed I didn't hesitate. It was good to be able to help out a friend when she needed it."

She added: "As soon as it happened, because I'm used to doing it at work, I focussed on Febbie. I was quite calm. I went into work mode.

"It wasn't until after, when the paramedics came, that I realised everyone was around us watching."

Year 13 student Lara regularly deals with medical incidents at work, where she doubles as both a receptionist and a recreation assistant.

She hopes to study nursing at university and is also looking to gain a placement at a hospital next year.

But she believes everyone should be first-aid trained to a minimum level, no matter their profession or age.

Her desire to learn the basics came after her younger brother began choking on his food three years ago.

Not knowing what to do, she shouted to her mother, who is first aid trained, who rushed to help him.

"It was straight after that that I turned to my mum and said, 'You need to get me first aid trained,'" said Lara.

"I think it's something that everyone should know."

Febbie, aged 18, who is a student at Heath Park, Moseley Park's partner school, had been suffering with appendicitis for over a month before she collapsed in class.

She had been preparing for exams and had hoped to brave the condition until after they were finished when the pain struck.

Fortunately, she has now fully recovered, having had her appendix taken out since the incident.

Febbie's memory of that day in October last year is still cloudy, but she remains eternally grateful to her friend Lara.

She said: "It was a horrible day but Lara helped be get through it.

"I don't remember much, but I remember Lara being there helping me out. She even came to the hospital to see if I was OK."

She added: "I think in a way it is comforting to know that within school there are people like Lara who are first aid trained. I think we need more people and even more teachers that are highly first aid trained."

Headteacher Nick Elwiss said: "I simply cannot express how highly I regard Lara.

"Not only is she an extremely hardworking student with a maturity and insight beyond her years, she has also proved herself to be level-heard, calm and invaluable in an emergency situation.

"Her quick-thinking and immediate action when her classmate fell unconscious – with what later turned out to be a life-threatening ruptured appendix – went far beyond the expectations of any 17-year-old pupil."