WHETHER her father collapsed because he was bitten by a dog or because of the intense pain in his ribs, Shannon Rowland will never know.
But all that matters to the teenager was that she had first-aid training when she needed it most.
Shannon's dad, Chris, had returned home from walking the dogs when he felt as if he had been bitten – but it was when he bent to look down he suddenly collapsed and started screaming in pain.
The quick-thinking 15-year-old rushed outside and – suspecting her father had damaged his ribs – moved him gently, supported him with cushions and phoned 999.
Chris, 47, had suffered cracked ribs and was taken to hospital. He has since recovered from his ordeal last August.
Shannon – a cadet at the Ripley and Coppice unit of St John Ambulance – has now been given an award by the first-aid charity for her actions.
And the Derby Telegraph is highlighting her efforts as part of our Save a Life campaign. We have teamed up with St John Ambulance to encourage as many readers as possible to learn first aid.
Shannon, now 16, of Starthe Bank, Heanor, said: "I feel really proud to have received an award for my first-aid actions.
"My training with St John Ambulance immediately kicked in and enabled me to know what to do to help my dad.
"When he collapsed, I had heard a thud and a crack – so I suspected that he might have broken or cracked a rib.
"He started to feel hot and was in shock, so I gently moved him across to a chair, supported him with cushions to make sure he was comfortable and opened the window next to him."
After phoning 999, Shannon continued to reassure her father and gave him paracetamol and ibuprofen to relieve his pain.
She said: "When the paramedics arrived, they gave him morphine and took him to hospital. The x-rays showed that he had cracked a few ribs. He was off work for a while and in a lot of pain.
"In the end, we weren't sure whether he was bitten on his leg or not, because that was overtaken by the pain he suffered in his ribs."
Shannon – who has been a cadet for 11 years – was awarded the Morgan Cup for Special Achievement during a St John Ambulance presentation evening.
She was also named cadet of the year after being voted for by her fellow members for a second year running.
Shannon said: "I would encourage as many people as possible to learn first aid – it really can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved in an emergency."
Teresa Allsopp, unit youth officer for St John Ambulance Ripley Coppice, said: "Shannon is to be congratulated for what she did to help her dad. You never know when you might need first aid – at home, at school or just out-and-about.
"By having these essential skills, she was able to be the difference and help her dad, as well as calm and reassure her younger sister – who was understandably upset too.
"She also had to calm her mum when she arrived home in a panic from work."
For more information about St John Ambulance, visit www.sja.org.uk
THE Derby Telegraph is hoping to reach thousands of readers with its Save A Life Campaign – as we team up with St John Ambulance so you can learn first aid at a discounted rate.There are two courses on offer. Essential First Aid is a two-hour course on how to deal with emergency situations, such as choking and resuscitation.
Essential First Aid, All Ages is a three-hour course looking at babies, older children and adults. Prices are £10 and £15 respectively – instead of £25.
Carl Makins, regional training and community projects manager, said: "We believe every young person should have the chance to learn first aid but, sadly, that isn't the case.
"Every year, up to 140,000 people die in situations where first aid could have given them a chance to live."
To book a place, call 01246 200272, mention your voucher and take it on the course.
