Our Younger Generations Should Be Taught Basic First Aid In Schools
Ensuring all children in the UK are taught first aid as children could end up saving hundreds of lives.
Last week I went on an emergency first aid course, this wasn’t my first time, however I wanted an up to date certificate for my current job.
On this course I learnt CPR.
I learnt how to notice signs of shock, stroke, heart attack and choking — and what to do if any of them are suspected.
I learnt how to deal with broken bones, bleeds and burns.
I learnt the signs of an asthma attack and allergic reaction, as well as how to treat them.
These are all things that could save a life. The fact that not everyone in the UK knows how to deal with these things is scary, and a reason lives are list. Early intervention into any of the above can literally mean the difference between life and death.
So why aren’t we all taught this?
This should be introduced into the general curriculum, ensuring it as mandatory as Maths and English! I’m not saying we should be out teaching 4 year olds how to do CPR, but I think teenagers of GCSE age (that’s 16 for you americans!), are more than mature enough to be able to understand the importance of emergency first aid.
I believe we should all be taking refresher course every three years, just like we visit the doctor, dentist or optician for check ups.
Having these skills would make our society a much safer place, with a rise in both knife crime and allergic reactions year on year, it is vital we know how to deal with such things on our streets, and potentially save hundreds if not thousands of lives each and every year.
I don’t believe I am the first to say this, and I doubt I will be the last. However, updating my own skills highlighted to me how fundamental this type of learning is. If anything, this is more important to society than Maths, English and history!
