to think first aid should be much more widely taught?

[MyNameIsWinkly]

Why isn't first aid taught in schools? Why aren't expectant parents offered first aid courses, alongside nhs birthing classes? They should be on offer at Sure Start and Childrens Centres too.

My friend's baby stopped breathing yesterday. My friend has had masses of first aid training through work, and he managed to clear baby's airway & give some rescue breaths which 'reminded' baby how to breathe. Its often all young babies need. By the time the ambulance arrived, baby was screaming his head off. Thank fuck. But the techniques aren't difficult, any one day course will teach them. So why is this not on offer?

The British Red Cross do offer some evening courses across the country, other providers are available, if anyone is inspired.

Ours is always a three line whip at lunchtime, and you sign that you've done it.

We did First Aid as part of postnatal classes, if I remember correctly, but I'm very rusty now.

DH volunteered as First Aider at work, specifically because he thought the training would be useful outside, as well as inside, the office.

The worst he has dealt with at work has been a cut finger, but outside work he has been first on the scene at two car accidents, and helped a man having a heart attack; fortunately none of the family have had to call upon his services so far.

It is an incredibly useful skill to have. YANBU

YANBU. Dd1 did first aid in her final yr of prep school last yr. It is done every year with the yr 8s (so 12-13yrs)as part of their life skills lessons..... they also do mock trials(after visiting/being visited by police,courts,solicitors,baristers), learn a bit about accountancy and banking amongst other good to know skills.
The school she is at now also do first aid eith the yr 11s at the end of the yr before starting their GCSEs which any 6th formers wishing to either refresh or learn can join in.

Why isn't first aid taught in schools

It is, it's part of PE. Has been for at least 10 years.

First Aid is part of PE?
Really?
Healthy living and an element of knowing how to maintain your body is, but CPR and treating injuries, bandages and fractures? Neither of my two covered that at school as part of PE.

I do BLS every year, you know what though? It's amazing how much we all forget in that time, although most us would be ok to use a debrilliater.

We had a First Aid course in school - back home (Germany) you don't get your driving license if you haven't done a First Aid course. I think it's a really good idea, and I'm in need of a refresher because I don't remember nearly enough.

Yanbu it should be taught in schools and at antenatal classes. I am a first aider at work and also did a paediatric course through surestart for a £5 donation.

Millies Trust are campaigning for first aid courses to be accessible for everyone and they also offer courses for either free or cut price throughout the UK. They have a website or can be found on Facebook.

Bohemian - some schools do the right thing and teach it but it is not compulsory.

It is something that should be touched upon in an age appropriate way every year so it is just seen normal for children to know it.

It should be taught much more widely than it is.

I was also quite surprised at the poor advice/information from the "first aiders" at a supermarket recently. A friend's toddler swallowed a coin and it was stuck in his throat. He COULD, however, breathe around it. She asked them to ring emergency services (she didn't have her mobile and I was across the store from them at the time with my mobile) as he was coughing and obviously uncomfortable, and just as I came around the corner, the first aider was telling her "we just need to give him a few taps on his back to dislodge it." No, you flaming don't! Had to stop him right then and there. Never ever interfere with an open airway.

The first aider stood there arguing with me while she was on the phone to emergency services, explaining the situation. They were insisting he needed "back blows" as he was "choking." Well, yes the coin was in his throat, but at the time, he was able to breathe around it. If he can cough or speak, you never ever try to dislodge it - let a medical professional do it. Otherwise you can lodge it worse and completely cut off the airway and then the clock is ticking.

Having worked in emergency services, I don't know how many times I've had to tell people NOT to give back blows to someone if they can breathe, cough, or speak - again, if there is an open airway, don't mess with it - get medical help and let them do it. Much much safer.

Sorry, will step down now, but this is a huge issue with poor training and incorrect information. Yes proper first aid, CPR, and choking procedures should be given to anyone that has or is in contact with children IMO.

I liked it when there were those adverts about how to perform CPR (albeit with Vinnie Jones pretending that trying to resuscitate someone would make people think you were kissing IIRC) as they were short, to the point and shown often enough that they must have sunk in to some extent with people who would otherwise not have had a clue.
We were offered a first aid course by our local children's centre and it focussed on performing first aid on babies and children as well as on the most common childhood injuries and accidents.

First aid is taught at my school from the age of 11. One of our pupils saved someone's life when she was just 14 because of what she learned. We've just won an award actually. I agree, it should be taught in all schools and in antenatal classes.

Sorry to bump this thread, but Millie's trust have started an e-petition regarding mandatory first aid training for everyone who works in a nursery. Here is a link if anyone would like to sign this petition: Petition

Thanks in advance.

Thank you, signed it, it needs a lot more signatures!

Just a note but if you have a smart phone, you can download the red cross first aid (and child first aid) aps. It's a massive download, full of videos and step by step instructions. Not as good as going to first aid training, but useful to have just in case.

Thanks for signing MyNameIsWinkly
I know a few people have put it on facebook, which has helped.

HopAlong - thanks for mentioning the app. Will have a look at that .

www.sja.org.uk/sja/support-us/the-difference/get-a-free-first-aid-guide.aspx

Free first aid guide from st johns ambulance. It has choking and CPR instructions in it as well. Definitely good thing to have in the house. We keep one in a central location in our home just in case, even though I have had the training a number of times over the years.

It's free - every house should have this!