On Friday 29 May 2026, the team at Viney Hall stepped away from the usual clinic routine and swapped treatment rooms for training mode, taking part in a fantastic first aid session led by Kirsty Panter from KJ Emergency Essentials.
And honestly? It was brilliant.
First aid training is one of those things you know is important, but you don’t always expect it to be such a fun, hands-on and genuinely enjoyable day. Kirsty somehow managed to make the whole session feel relaxed, practical and full of useful information, while also keeping everyone engaged from start to finish.
We covered a lot over the course of the training, including:
There was a real mix of learning, practising and quietly realising that some things are much trickier than they look. Bandaging, for example, sounds simple enough — until you’re the one holding the roll and trying not to turn your colleague into a slightly tangled mummy. And slings? Let’s just say they require a bit more finesse than expected.
Kirsty shared some unforgettable phrases to keep in mind if someone faints, is experiencing shock or hypovolaemia:
One of the most memorable parts of the day was practising how to help someone who is choking. We learnt how to use back blows and abdominal thrusts (formerly known as the Heimlich manoeuvre) and had a go at putting the technique into practice (including on a bigger patient as shown in the video at the bottom of this post). The aim was to dislodge two ear plugs from the training vest — with the small but very entertaining side effect that they flew across the room in completely unpredictable directions. Safe to say, it definitely kept everyone alert.
What made the day especially memorable was the atmosphere. The session struck that perfect balance between serious, important learning and light-hearted team fun. There were lots of questions, plenty of participation, healthy competition, and more than a few moments where we discovered that first aid is not quite as simple as it looks in the movies.
Kirsty’s approachable style made everyone feel comfortable getting involved, having a go and learning by doing. She kept us all on our toes with hands-on activities, real-life scenarios and practical advice that we hope we’ll never need — but are very glad to know.
It was also a really good reminder of why keeping these skills up to date matters so much. At Viney Hall, caring for people is at the heart of what we do, and first aid training is an important part of making sure we can respond quickly, calmly and confidently if someone needs help.
By the end of the session, we all came away having learnt a lot, feeling more informed, and with a healthy respect for the art of a well-tied bandage.
A huge thank you to Kirsty Panter of KJ Emergency Essentials for such an informative, practical and enjoyable day.
Final verdict?
A brilliant day of learning, teamwork and laughter — plus a reminder that slings are trickier than expected, choking response takes confidence, and ear plugs can travel surprisingly far when launched at speed.
