The value of Helston Heartstart training was brought to light when two of the town’s business owners had put it into action on a customer.

Rachel and Delme Jones of the Coffee Bean were among the traders who took advantage of emergency resuscitation training provided by the Helston Business Improvement Partnership and the British Heart Foundation.

Within three weeks they had already used their new skills, after a customer collapsed in their Coinagehall Street coffee shop and restaurant.

Delme said: “Our chef noticed that one of our customers was looking a bit pale and then suddenly the customer started to lose consciousness and fall off their seat. I managed to run to them and help cushion their fall, whilst shouting at Rachel to call 999 when I realised they weren’t responding.”

Rachel immediately contacted the emergency services before rushing to help Delme, placing the man in the recovery position before waiting for the paramedics to attend.

Both agreed that the training they had received ensured that they knew what to do in the emergency situation.

Delme said: “Luckily our customer regained consciousness quite quickly and started to talk, which was a very big relief to us. The paramedics arrived about ten minutes after the 999 call and after checking the patient over in the ambulance they were released to go home and rest.

“It was a very stressful situation but with the training in our minds we had the confidence in what to do and questions to ask.”

Rachel added: “We will be asking all our staff to attend this training as it is vital to have this knowledge and confidence in these sorts of situation.”

Michelle Wootton, chairman of the Healthy Helston, said: “I’m extremely proud of the owners of the Coffee Bean, Rachel and Delme Jones. It shows how effective this training can be and you never know when you’ll have to use it.

“We would like to encourage as many people to come along to our training sessions as possible.”

Having trained 30 volunteers on how to teach the life saving skills, community Heartstart training will now begin this Tuesday, June 4.

This will take place at the Angel Hotel from 6pm and last approximately two hours.

The training includes instruction in the recovery position, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and how to respond to serious bleeding and choking.

There are limited spaces for the first few training sessions; email healthyhelston@helstonbip.co.uk to book a place.

As well as the monthly community sessions, the Healthy Helston group also organises outreach programs with schools and community groups. Michelle can be emailed at the same address to arrange a visit.