Nottinghamshire schools urged to sign up to innovative new first aid programme

First aid charity St John Ambulance has launched an innovative new Student First Aid Programme in a bid to teach even more young people vital life saving skills.

Research by the charity shows that seven out of ten students wouldn’t know what to do if someone they knew was injured.

First aid is not currently on the National Curriculum in England and most young people grow up without even the most basic knowledge of how to save a life.

However the majority of students say they would like to learn first aid.

The new St John Ambulance Student First Aid Programme offers school staff the flexibility to choose the training option that’s right for their students, and fit it around the demands of a busy school day.

Suitable for young people aged seven and over – and aimed at both primary and secondary students – it offers a range of courses which provide a comprehensive introduction to first aid for students, as well as a ‘build your own course’ option allowing schools to select individual modules to meet students’ specific needs.

The courses cover first aid basics including choking, bleeding and CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation), and customized options can also include asthma, allergic reactions, seizures, low blood sugar, head injuries and severe bleeding.

Helen Lee, regional schools and community training co-ordinator, said: “As the nation’s leading first aid charity, St John Ambulance believes that every young person should have the chance to learn vital life saving skills.

“First aid also fits into the curriculum in PSHE, PE, science, child care and health and social care.

“Our dedicated team of schools trainers can deliver dynamic, practical, fun and interactive first aid training to provide your students with the knowledge and confidence to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”

St John Ambulance teaches valuable life skills to young people by training them in first aid, in schools and through its youth schemes.

In 2013 it delivered training of valuable life saving skills to over 100,000 young people across the country.

Across the East Midlands 21,407 young people were trained during the last year. The organisation also provides training for school staff.

For more information, or to book first aid training at your school, visit www.sja.org.uk/studentfirstaid, telephone 01246 200272 or email [email protected]