FIRST AID
Lessons that save lives
Most school
children would
feel helpless if
someone they
knew was taken ill, but
first aid training can make
the difference. St John
Ambulance hopes its first
aid lessons and resources
in schools will empower
and develop young people.
Emma Sheppard explains
‘
RANDON FLANIGHAN, aged 12,
B
paid close attention when he studied
first aid at Morpeth Newminster Safety first: Students using the Young
Middle School in Northumbria as First Aider resources (pictured below)
part of PSHE. He was worried about
his grandfather getting ill and thought
these new skills may one day be understand there was a lot of blood, but he was so and try and stop the bleeding. I also thought she might surveyed felt that first aid should be offered to pupils
needed. However, he did not think he would be using calm and immediately started talking to me, telling me suffer shock and so I raised her legs and tried to talk to to learn, whether this was at an after-school enrichment
first aid on his mum, Jacquie, just a few months later. what had happened and what he was about to do. I just her and keep her reassured. club or within citizenship and PSHE modules – the
She collapsed in the kitchen at home early one wanted to go to sleep, but obviously his training had “She kept drifting in and out of consciousness so latter of which will be compulsory from 2011.
morning after a reaction to medication, banging her taught him that because of my head injury that would I made her laugh to give her something else to think They recognised first aid as an important life skill
head and suffering a deep gash. Her daughter found her be really dangerous, and to keep me awake.” about. I asked my sister to call my dad and then I just that boosts confidence and promotes teamwork. In
in a pool of blood and ran to get Brandon. Brandon added: “I was worried about her head kept talking to mum and reassuring her until dad and addition they want their colleagues to know how simple
Jacquie said: “He could have panicked as I wound and so I used a clean tea towel to apply pressure the ambulance arrived.” it is to teach.
Jacquie continued: “I’m so proud of him and his Zafar Khwaja who teaches at Drayton Manor School
sister for keeping calm and knowing what to do. I dread in Ealing is a strong advocate for first aid training.
to think what would have happened if Brandon hadn’t He said: “We’ve taught it for a number of years as
learnt first aid in school and I think it’s something every part of citizenship and the pupils love it. We’ve even
pupil should be taught.” set up a first aid club because they enjoy it so much and
There is no doubt that Brandon’s first aid training we practise before school and compete in the St John
made a real difference in this situation, keeping him Ambulance National schools’ first aid competition.
calm and in control, but currently many young people Last year our team won and we’re hoping to do well
do not have first aid skills and according to research, this year too. Having a competition like that to aim for
69 per cent of young people would not know how to is a real driver.”
help someone who needed first aid. Mr Khwaja believes that students like learning
Every year 400,000 young people are injured at something practical which they can use in every day
school, with more injuries occurring outside the school life. They even volunteer to provide first aid at school
More Choice. More Opportunity
ground. However only a small percentage of the events, like sports days and concerts.
450,000 teachers and eight million pupils are first aid He continued: “We’ve heard stories of how they’ve
trained. used their training outside the school gates. For some
Elaine Howlings, head of product development at it’s made them think about careers in medicine or has
St John Ambulance, who is responsible for schools given them confidence, for instance, when babysitting
training, said: “First aid saves lives and Brandon’s and looking after younger children.
Here in Hertfordshire, we are home to an
story shows you are never too young to learn. More “It’s obvious that first aid gives people the ability
importantly, our research shows that young people to help others, but it does so much more. It can help
exceptional range of schools - from small
want to learn about it. We recently carried out a survey pupils understand the value of life and the importance
on their attitudes towards learning first aid in school of communication and teamwork, as well as boost self-
and they’ve told us how helpless they feel not being esteem – and let’s not forget that learning first aid looks
village primaries to large secondaries.
able to help a loved one. Over three-quarters said this good on your CV.
is something they feel should be taught in school and “It’s something that people from all backgrounds
something they’re keen to learn. and abilities can learn. If you don’t feel confident as a
We also offer superb induction and CPD.
“Interestingly, over 80 per cent also said they teacher doing it yourself then someone from St John
believe the public would think more positively of Ambulance can come into the school and teach it for
Within this very supportive environment,
young people if they knew they were first aid trained. you.”
This was an outcome that we weren’t expecting but Until first aid becomes a compulsory part of the
with young people getting such a bad press at the curriculum it is down to schools or teachers themselves
you will have every opportunity to
moment perhaps giving them a practical, useful skill to initiate lessons. There are plans to make first aid
like this could help.” compulsory as part of PSHE from 2011 but there is
establish and develop your career.
St John Ambulance has a long history of working much schools can do before then to give young people
with schools, but is stepping its commitment up a gear a chance to learn.
with its new strategy to ensure that every school child Ms Howlings added: “We urge teachers to get in
has access to first aid training over the touch with us to find out more about
next five years. what we can offer young people. We
For more information about opportunities in
The charity is encouraging schools know teaching a new subject can be
to purchase its Young First Aider daunting, but we’ve had feedback
Hertfordshire Schools, log on and apply at
training resource. from teachers saying that our resources
Ms Howlings explained: “It costs are easy to use with a little training.
www.teachinherts.com
only £76 but can be used again and “We really want to work in
again. It’s interactive with lesson partnership with schools to help young
plans, differentiated worksheets you people learn this important skill.” SecEd
can photocopy, and DVD scenarios
Tel: 01438 844871 to engage young people. Teachers • Emma Sheppard is from St John
can train young people using this Ambulance.
Email: teachinherts.hdc@hertscc.gov.uk
resource with only three hours of
first aid training or, alternatively,
Further information
Hertfordshire is committed to the protection and safety of children and young people. our trainers can visit schools and Visit www.sja.org.uk/schools
train pupils directly.” for more information about
The charity surveyed St John Ambulance’s
teachers as well as strategy for schools, or
pupils and found alternatively, call
that all teachers 08700 104 950.
14 SecEd • May 14 2009
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