The number 999 is common place in the UK when an emergency happens, but as staff on the recent NYBBGB Course found out, 112 can be just as important.

Eye opener

The First Aid course for staff on the recent NYBBGB course was the NYBBGB's commitment to ongoing professional development of its staff, music, pastoral and administration and for some, the discovery that the number 112 can be used in an emergency proved to be a real eye opener.

Alan Wycherley, a tutor on the course told 4BR 'The first aid course was an invaluable part of the week for all the staff and this is when the number 112 cropped up'.

Used in Europe

In the case of an emergency in mainland Europe, dialing 112 can be called and within seconds your exact whereabouts will be pinpointed4BR

112 can be used in an emergency from a mobile or landline in mainland Europe as Alan explained. 'We all know about 999 in the UK but 112 can be used across Europe in an emergency. Within seconds of declaring the service you need, your exact wherabouts can be pinpointed by the operator and help will be on its way'.

You never know

Alan also told 4BR that despite the emergency number being in existance for around a decade, it wasn't something he'd come across until the First Aid course; 'Lots of us travel nowadays abroad, individually on business, never mind band trips, 112 is certainly a number to be saved into your mobile — you never know when it could be useful'.