ST JOHN Ambulance, the volunteer-led health charity, has teamed up with the Gazette to bring you some simple summer first aid tips.

This week, unit manager Joshua Hensman, takes us through what to do when someone has a tick bite.

Ticks are very small, spider-like creatures which can be found in woodlands or grass.

Ticks attach themselves to passing animals (including humans) and bite into the skin, sucking the blood. They can carry diseases and so should be removed as soon as possible.

What to do

Using a pair of tweezers, grasp the tick’s head as close as you can to the skin and gently pull the head upwards.

Use a steady and even pressure

Do not jerk the tick as this may leave parts of it embedded in the skin

Collect the remnants of the tick together and put it in a sealed plastic bag. Give it to the casualty as it may need to be identified and advise them to seek medical advice.

For more free first aid advice go to St John Ambulance’s website at

sja.org.uk/firstaid

or download the free first aid app from your app store.

For information about volunteering with St John Ambulance in Basingstoke, contact Joshua Hensman on Joshua.hensman@sja.org.uk.