A LOCAL police officer and volunteer from first aid charity St. John Wales has returned from one of the poorest nations having been part of a group which trained a staggering 3,544 people in lifesaving first aid skills.

Twelve young St. John Wales volunteers, aged 16-21, and five adult members, armed with a wealth of first aid knowledge, were involved in a seven-day visit to Zambia's capital of Lusaka.

Among them were PC Alex Jones, who is based at Tenby Police Station, and Victoria Stevens from Pembroke Dock.

They trained police officers, teachers, schoolchildren, St. John Zambia trainers and members of the public in first aid skills, including CPR, the recovery position, how to deal with choking and other essential lifesaving techniques.

They worked in 12 schools - training 100 teachers and more than 1,500 schoolchildren in vital first aid.

Zambian authorities asked for their police officers to be taught first aid skills which focused on what to do at a road traffic collision and how to protect themselves whilst on duty. St. John Wales volunteers also explored ways of developing eye care through first aid techniques.

The trip was made possible thanks to a £17,500 grant from the Welsh Assembly Government

St. John Wales' Chief Commander, Dr. Bob Broughton, who shared his medical expertise during the visit, said: "We had an extremely successful and satisfying week in Zambia. Our cadet leaders and young members trained thousands of people in essential lifesaving techniques in and around Lusaka. This should help make a real difference in giving them the knowledge and confidence to deal with a medical emergency should one arise."

He added: "It was a life-changing experience for all of us who went and I know the cadets will never forget what they have seen."

Although healthcare in Zambia has recently been made free, demand on the clinics is overwhelming, and medical professionals are struggling to cope.

The country has one doctor for every 14,000 people, compared with one in 600 in the United Kingdom. Two-thirds of the population live on less than one dollar per day and one in six children dies before their fifth birthday.