A TEENAGER saved a man’s life after finding him unconscious in the road on a swelteringly hot day.

Ryan Bromley was walking down Brackley Street in Farnworth at around 6.30pm on Tuesday and was close to Farnworth Post Officer when he found a man lying in the road.

After becoming concerned that he might be seriously hurt, the 15-year-old leaned in and checked the man’s pulse, finding him to still be alive.

He immediately called an ambulance and followed the instructions of the operator, walking to Farnworth Fire Station nearby to check if a defibrillator was available.

Paramedics soon arrived and took the man to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Following, the incident they told Ryan that they were unsure how the unknown patient had fallen unconscious but that he seemed to have heat stroke from being out in the hot weather that day and might not have survived if the ambulance had not been called immediately.

Ryan's quick thinking actions have been praised by the first aid charity St John Ambulance.

A spokesman for the organisation said: “Huge congratulations to Ryan. His actions demonstrate why everyone should learn essential life saving skills.

“He’s a perfect example of why we worked so hard to persuade the Government to include first aid training in the national curriculum, and we’re delighted that it will be compulsory in all schools from next year.

“In the meantime, Ryan would be a great nominee for our 2019 Everyday Heroes awards.”

Upon hearing about her son’s heroic actions, mum Eva Stretton, said: “I’m so proud of him.

“He told me what happened when he came home. I was actually really shocked, I couldn’t believe it.”

Ryan, who is hoping to join the army once he finishes school, said he had learned how to check someone’s pulse in the cadets.

He said: “I was walking through Farnworth town centre and I spotted this guy lying on the floor. I could tell something was wrong straight away.

“I was concerned because he was in the sun. I rang the ambulance and they told me to get the defibrillator from the fire station.

“After, they said he would have died if I had not called them.”

The youngster, from Trentham Close, in Farnworth, is currently a year 10 student at Harper Green School.

Anyone who finds an unconscious person is advised to first check that they are breathing and see if they are wearing a medical alert tag which might indicate why they have lost consciousness.

Then, call an ambulance and follow the instructions.

St John Ambulance advises first aiders to follow the DR ABC procedure.

What to do:

1. Danger. Before approaching the casualty, always make sure the area is safe

2. Response. Check if the casualty is responsive or unresponsive. As you approach them, introduce yourself and ask them questions to see if you can get a response. Kneel next to their chest and gently shake their shoulders, asking, ‘What has happened?’ ‘Open your eyes’

• If the casualty opens their eyes, or gives another gesture, they are responsive

• If they do not respond to you in any way they are unresponsive and should be treated as quickly as possible

3. Airway. Next, you need to check that the airway is open and clear. Open the airway by placing one hand on the forehead to tilt the head back and use two fingers from the other hand to lift the chin

• If they are unresponsive, you need to move on to breathing as quickly as possible

• If they are responsive but their airway is blocked, you need to clear the airway

4. Breathing. You now need to check if the casualty is breathing normally. Place your ear above their mouth, looking down their body. Look, listen and feel for 10 seconds

• If they are unresponsive and not breathing, you need to call 999/112 for emergency help and start CPR straight away. Ask a helper to find and bring an AED

• If they are responsive and breathing move on to circulation

5. Circulation. Once you have established they are breathing, look and check for any signs of severe bleeding.

• If they are bleeding severely you will need to control and treat the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound. Call 999/112 for emergency help

• If they are unresponsive and breathing but with no bleeding, put them in the recovery position and call 999/112 for emergency help.