Red Cross Scotland Calls for First Aid Education in Schools

Strategic Insights -

According to Red Cross Scotland, 96% of Scots believe that young people should learn basic first-aid skills at school. The organization is lobbying the Scottish Executive, individual MSPs, and MPs to ensure first aid is included as part of school education. There is no comprehensive first-aid education programme in Scotland's schools, although some schools opt to include one. The Red Cross in Scotland has published a report recommending that children know at least eight first-aid essentials before they leave secondary school, including how to deal with unconsciousness and resuscitation and choking.

Key Takeaways:

  • Red Cross Scotland is calling for a public debate on the teaching of first aid in schools, citing research showing 96% of Scots believe young people should learn basic first-aid skills.
  • The organization has begun lobbying the Scottish Executive, individual MSPs, and MPs to ensure first aid is included as part of school education.
  • There is no comprehensive first-aid education programme in Scotland's schools, although some schools opt to include one.
  • The Red Cross in Scotland has published a report recommending that children know at least eight first-aid essentials before they leave secondary school, including how to deal with unconsciousness and resuscitation.
  • According to the report, first-aid interventions in the initial few minutes after an accident can make a crucial difference in reducing injury and saving lives.
  • Robert Wyllie, a 15-year-old, credits Red Cross first-aid sessions for teaching him what to do in an emergency situation.
  • Plockton High School has a first-aid programme, introduced to the school's curriculum three years ago, that is delivered by the Red Cross.
  • The Scottish Executive has stated that it does not have a statutory curriculum, leaving it up to individual schools to decide whether to offer first aid lessons.

Statistics:

  • 96% of Scots believe young people should learn basic first-aid skills at school.
  • Average 21 people die each day in Scotland due to heart-related causes.
  • A person's chances of survival after a heart attack can be tripled if CPR is given immediately.
  • Unconscious individual can die in just four minutes if they are unable to breathe.
  • 5.5 million people turn up at hospital A&E departments each year.
  • 3 million people (including 1 million children and young people) could have had their injuries helped by routine first aid.

Sources:

  • Red Cross Scotland
  • [The Scotsman, September 7, 1999]