I found my mum passed out with a brain injury – I had to fight to save her life
A MATTER of seconds really can mean the difference between life and death – as Tash Sorhaindo knows after she was saved by her young daughter.
And in recognition of the hero who rushed to her aid, Tash has nominated Jayden for The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards.
Tash, 42, from Hampton, South West London took a nasty knock to the head while running the bath.
She said: “I got in as I usually would, but didn’t realise I’d hurt myself quite badly.”
Moments later, her 11-year-old daughter, Jayden, .
Jayden said: “I was a bit scared, but I had to remain calm so the situation would be fixed.
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“I called for help straight away. I was checking my mum’s breathing and holding her head up as she was toppling backwards. I had to stop her from drowning.”
New research by health and first aid charity reveals Jayden isn’t alone in rescuing a loved one.
The One Poll survey of 2,000 people in the UK found one in four have saved a life.
Of those, 58 per cent have saved a family member and 56 per cent a friend, while 52 per cent had saved a work colleague or stranger’s life.
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Only 29 per cent polled said they were “very confident” in their first-aid skills — but for Jayden, that confidence came from training with St John since she was seven.
She is a carer for Tash, who has auto-immune disorder lupus and heart failure.
Jayden, who wants to be a heart surgeon when she grows up, revealed: “I got into first aid because my mum’s unwell. I don’t want anyone to be unwell — I just want to help them.
When Tash blacked out, Jayden knew exactly what to do.
She said: “I checked my mum’s breathing, and I put my ear to her mouth.”
Learn the skills for emergency
Daniel Lyons, , says: “It’s so important for young people to understand and know what to do in an emergency
“Our six national youth programmes – Badgers, Cadets, Student Volunteering, NHS Cadets, Young Responders and Health Citizens – give young people the opportunity to learn these first aid skills alongside other important life skills.”
You can head to sja.org.uk to sign up to youth and adult courses, watch a first-aid video or donate to help train and equip more volunteers.
Jayden monitored her mum and kept her head lifted out of the water until she came round and the ambulance arrived.
Tash — also mum to Kayla-Diamond, two — had stitches plus before getting the all-clear.
She says: “The doctors said thank God I was found — anything could have happened if I’d remained laying there.
“Jayden was taught real-life scenarios, what to do, how to respond, and I can’t put into words the gratitude I have towards St John.”
Tash added: “Jayden is my hero.
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“I know everybody says, ‘My daughter is the best,’ but she’s a one-off.
“She has such a big heart and anybody who has the pleasure of meeting her or being her friend, they’ll see it for themselves.”
7 first-aid tips parents should teach children
YOU never know when your child may need to know how to save a life – it could even be yours. So make first-aid skills a family affair by . . .
DIAL 999: EVEN the smallest children are pretty phone-savvy now.
They might be up to speed on playing games and watching Peppa Pig videos, but do they know who to call in an emergency, and how?
Make sure they know when and how to dial 999.
HOME TIME: IF your little one does have to call 999, it will make the job of the emergency service operator who answers much easier if your child knows their address by heart.
Every moment counts in an emergency, and knowing where they live can save vital seconds.
CALL FOR HELP: WE rely so much on our phones to contain everyone’s numbers, but mobiles can die and break.
So, alongside 999, it’s wise to have your child memorise a family member’s number too, so if they need another adult, they will have someone to call.
FIND IT: EVERY home should have a well-stocked first aid kit.
Not got one? Get one!
Remember to keep it in a safe, accessible place and show your child exactly where it is.
Then, if anyone needs antiseptic cream or antihistamines, everyone knows where to go.
INSIDE OUT: HAVING a first-aid kit is excellent, but your little one should also be able to identify what’s in it and what each item is for, from scissors to gauze, plasters to bandages.
St John Ambulance has a recommended kit list on their website – see .
PRIMARY SURVEY: BRUSH up as a family on how to do a “primary survey” – a quick way to find out how to treat life-threatening conditions a casualty may have in order of priority.
: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation.
IN RECOVERY: TEACH your child when and how to put someone into the recovery position – it’s a classic for a reason.
Done after the primary survey, it’s used to place an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally into a safe position that allows them to breathe easily.
