A PAINTER and decorator helped save the life of a customer thanks to skills she learned through family first aid lessons.

Lisa Branson, 35, who runs her own painting, decorating and interior design firm, was called into action when she was working at the home of Peter and Audrey Cole in Honiton.

The mother-of-four, who also lives in Honiton, said: "I was just coming back from my parked van to the house when I heard a tremendous thud.

"I ran into the house and there was Peter collapsed in the hallway. He had said earlier that he was not feeling too well.

"I checked and could not find a pulse and he was very white. I carried out first aid procedures and put him in the recovery position while Audrey called the emergency services.

"I am so glad I knew some first aid otherwise it would have been terrible not knowing what to do."

Lisa learned first aid with her husband Richard, 37, who is a Devon and Somerset retained firefighter in their home town of Honiton and is a full-time fireman at Exeter Airport.

She said: "With four children aged eight to 13 we thought it essential to learn first aid and fire drills and so forth and certainly this proved so useful on this occasion."

Richard said: "Lisa did very well and it goes to show just how important it is to know first aid. You never know when it will make all the difference.

"The first few minutes in most incidents are the most crucial and it would be terrible if you did not know what to do."

Mr Cole, who is in his 70s, is currently at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and tests are being conducted to find out what caused his illness.

St John Ambulance had this advice to offer regarding emergency first aid.

"As a first aider the priorities when dealing with a casualty are always the same — ABC: airway, breathing, circulation. A primary survey of a casualty will establish your priorities.

"When dealing with an unconscious casualty you should open and maintain their airway as your first priority. If the airway should become obstructed, possibly by the tongue falling to the back of the throat, then the casualty will be unable to breathe and this will lead to death if untreated.

"If the casualty is breathing, the simple procedure of placing the casualty into the recovery position should ensure that the airway will remain clear of obstructions.

"If the casualty has stopped breathing you can assist them by performing a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths.

"You breathe out enough oxygen to potentially keep the casualty alive until the emergency services arrive.

"The oxygen you breathe in will need to then be pumped around the body using chest compressions.

"It is important to remember that in any life threatening situation the emergency services should be called as soon as breathing or absence of breathing has been identified."

First aid lessons are also available through the Exeter Red Cross in Apple Lane, Exeter, on 0845 331 5000.