IF ever a story illustrated the importance of first aid, it’s the dramatic tale of Simon Underwood.

The teacher found a toddler in a stream who had stopped breathing.

The terrifying scene would throw most of us into a panic.

But Mr Underwood stayed calm – and saved a life.

And his heroics are now quite rightly being honoured.

The real message here, clearly, is that first aid training is vital.

Those who have been through it may often find they rarely use it – or perhaps never do.

Alternatively, they may find themselves called upon merely to dole out plasters or deal with a scratch.

That, however, does not take away from the need to get more people trained up.

As this story demonstrates, the basic training that first aid gives to people can be hugely significant.

A few hours of training in a rented room over coffee may seem paltry in comparison with the years of training doctors go through.

But saving a life can often involve simple measures that, with a bit of training, anyone can understand.

Nobody wants to find themselves in a situation like Mr Underwood.

Yet his clear thinking and the quick steps he took to act should show prompt more of us to take up first aid training.

One day, somewhere, you might need it.