A FLEDGLING health sector digital business has won its first commercial contract, with one of the UK's best-known first-aid specialists.

A resuscitation training programme designed by Tees Valley based Psaeon has been taken up by St John Ambulance.

The firm, based at the DigitalCity Business facility at Boho One, in Middlesbrough, creates 3D visual online tools focusing on health and social care teaching.

When the European 'Resuscitation Council' recently changed the protocols for CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) St John Ambulance brought Psaeon on-board to create an e-learning platform.

The purpose was to help teach the new depth and rate for chest compressions.

It also enables first aiders to practise the first aid protocols that had not changed.

Psaeon is a subsidiary of Boho One based Animmersion UK Ltd, owned by Sam Harrison and Dominic Lusardi.

Mr Lusardi said: "We showed them our impressive online training tools and as a result we were invited to come up with a training package for the new protocols for them to pilot.

"This is a very important contract for us and we hope it will lead to a lasting relationship with St John Ambulance. There are many more 3D digital applications we could explore."

Andrew New, product development manager, at St John Ambulance, said: "New technologies and techniques are important to us as a leading first aid provider and an e-learning tool such as this is a great way of getting the basics across quickly and in a cost-effective way so we can ensure more people have the skills to be the difference between life and death."

Mark Elliott, chief executive of DigitalCity Business, said: "Sam and Dominic are a fantastic example of the kind of innovative, creative people we have based here.

"They have the spark of an idea which germinates and grows into a great business."

Psaeon, which employs four people, has previously developed e-learning tools for Teesside University, initially for first-year nursing students.

This helps students to practise skills and procedures before doing practical tests and has led to students gaining confidence and increased pass rates.