KIRSTY HAWKINS

Kirsty originally qualified as a veterinary medic. During her 11 years in that role she gained first-hand experience of trauma and emergency situations having worked in emergency care practices and a critical care hospital.

She soon qualified as a first aider and became the primary point of first aid contact within the practice. This training was put to good use when, on one notable occasion, Kirsty witnessed the chaotic aftermath of a serious road traffic accident. Seven casualties were involved, and Kirsty had to deal with the situation single-handedly until the emergency services arrived. This experience ignited her desire to provide everyone with the skills, knowledge and confidence to step up and help in an emergency.

Taking the opportunity to realign her career with this new found calling, Kirsty took up her first Trainer role with the British Red Cross in 2004. Her trainees had a varied ability and gave Kirsty the opportunity to develop her own teaching methods over a broad range of first aid topics.Just two years later, Kirsty was invited to join the First Aid Training Team at Thames Valley Police. Here she taught everything from Basic First Aid for Police Officers to First Aid for Firearms Officers and Police Medics.

In 2015 Kirsty became fully independent and established Orbital Safety Training, determined to provide more people with potentially life saving knowledge and practical skills.

Even in her spare time, Kirsty puts her skills to good use as a volunteer Community First Responder for the South Central Ambulance Service.