A MOTHER who was “terrified” after saving her child’s life when he choked has launched her own CPR training course to help equip other parents with vital skills.

Eight months ago, Thomas Harvey, 11, was eating steak when he started choking. His mum, Chloe, feared he could have died.

Thankfully, the registered nurse had been fully trained in how to react to the situation and she was able to spring into action to save her son’s life.

Now she has founded Baby and Child CPR Training in order to ensure other parents are taught the crucial skills, should they ever be required.

Mrs Harvey, who lives in West Bergholt with her husband and three children, said: “It’s every parent’s worst nightmare.

Read more: 'Welcome to Colchester' - gateway gets revamp as part of £11m project

“There are a lot of cardiac arrests every year and a low survival rate.

“There are children dying simply because their parents, grandparents etc don’t know what to do.

“Choking in those aged under five is one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in the UK as not enough parents know the basic skills.

“If that was your child, having those skills could make the difference to them surviving.”

Reflecting on the incident with her eldest son, Mrs Harvey, 35, explained she fears it could have had a tragic ending.

“Thomas started choking on a bit of steak and, although I’ve had training, it terrified the life out of me, and that’s me being a parent who is prepared for it.

“Using this training saved my son’s life. Had I not been ready, it could’ve been a different story.

“Parents know cardiac arrests and choking happens in children, but so many don’t know how to help.

“The NHS and ambulance service is overstretched and you never know when you may need to take action into your own hands.

“Parents want to be given the tools so even if it is not their own child, they can do something if the situation ever arises.”

Mrs Harvey is running training courses to raise funds for Heathlands Primary School’s Year 6 leavers’ party.

For more information, email heathlandscprtrainingevent@outlook.com.