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MNHQ

Chance to win £250! New year, new skill? How about first aid? Share your thoughts with the British Red Cross NOW CLOSED

293 replies

AnnMumsnet · 12/01/2015 09:31

We have been asked by the British Red Cross to find out - in general - what new skills you're planning to learn or find out about in 2015?

They say "the new year is a time for thinking about learning something new in the year ahead. British Red Cross would like all mumsnetters to equip themselves with a new life skill in 2015 by learning first aid for baby and child - on a course, online or by downloading the free Baby and Child First Aid app".

So, what new skills are you planning to try and learn this year? If it's first aid, how will you learn this? How do you feel about learning new skills these days? What about your partner? How do you find the time to learn new things as you get older? Do you think it's important to do this?

If you're keen on finding out about learning some first aid skills - do check out the resources from the British Red Cross:

Courses info
Online materials
Free App

And let us know on this thread what you think.

Share your thoughts on learning new skills generally and any feedback on the British Red Cross first aid for baby and child info on this thread and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £250 John Lewis voucher.

Please add your comment by 26 January 2015. Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Chance to win £250! New year, new skill? How about first aid? Share your thoughts with the British Red Cross NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
Hopezibah · 19/01/2015 21:30

First aid is so so very important and both myself and my husband have got a basic understanding of it but it is always good to recap.

I've always wanted to learn to sew and so that might be something to learn this year.

I'd love to improve my cooking too so I hope I get the chance to go on a cookery course.

twinklenic · 19/01/2015 21:59

Ive always wanted to learn first aid. i think it should be a part of the national cirriculum .

somersetsinger · 19/01/2015 22:13

I'm a first-aider at work and my certificate is up for renewal this year, so I will be refreshing my skills. I really hope I never have to use CPR or any of the life or death stuff I learn on the course - the responsibility is pretty scary.

Bobbylolly570 · 19/01/2015 22:28

This app sounds great - wish I had a smartphone to download it onto.
I attended my first ever first aid course when I was training as a fitness instructor - those years are now behind but since having children I try to attend a refresher course at least once every 12 months - and what I've learnt has come in useful.
Its terrifying if your child starts chocking, but it's a life saver if you know what to do in such situations.
A first aid course is something all mums to be should think about doing - it can help make you feel more confident about the 'what if' scenarios, especially when the weaning stage starts and can mean the difference between life and death.

opalsandsilver · 20/01/2015 00:05

I plan to develop my swimming this year, would like to become more accomplished at cooking and baking too.
I am hoping my partner will do a Heartstart course this year with the British Heart Foundation. I would urge anyone to do this, learning life support is great fun and so simple. If you can't get to a course, watch the "Staying Alive" film on YouTube.

EskSmith · 20/01/2015 00:23

I went on a first aid course (for work) at the start of January - it is something I had wanted to do for a while & it was fantastic. We were taught by a retired paramedic and he was fantastic. He stressed that you are most likely to need the lifesaving skills you learnt on a family member.

Nice to have a resolution ticked off by the middle of January!!

ShatnersBassoon · 20/01/2015 09:40

I get regular mandatory first aid training through one of the groups I volunteer with. I have used it a few times, so I appreciate how valuable it is.

I'm going to learn to crochet this year. I can knit and sew, but don't, so I think learning a new thing might reignite my interest in craft.

Gemwill12 · 20/01/2015 10:43

As new baby due in 2 months I will be brushing up on my baby first aid skills. Just about got to grips with a toddler ??

JazzAnnNonMouse · 20/01/2015 10:52

I did a first aid course last year and would recommend everyone do it - especially anyone in a caring position such as parent etc.

I will have a go with the app.

sofieellis · 20/01/2015 11:51

I revently did a history course, which I really enjoyed (having failed History O'Level many years ago!) and have been thinking of doing another one. My son has just trained with the St John Ambulance though, and that has got me thinking about doing some sort of First Aid course instead.

funkyfish586 · 20/01/2015 12:25

I am planning on learning first aid after a near choking incident on a grape ( which i always cut in half now!)

I thought the app was great & very clear!

castleton · 20/01/2015 14:04

Basic First Aid Course

RueDeWakening · 20/01/2015 14:12

I'm planning on learning a bit more glass fusion, I did a couple of hours before Christmas and loved it.

I tested the Red Cross app a while back, and still have it and use it - in fact I was showing it to someone only last week. It's an excellent resource.

I have a Red Cross paediatric first aid certificate, which expires in March so I'll be renewing that at some point fairly soon. I prefer the Red Cross course to the much shorter First Response refresher course that Girlguiding UK offers - and since I run a Rainbow unit, I'd much rather have the more detailed information to call on, too! It's ironic that the only time I've had to use the knowledge in an emergency so far wasn't at Rainbows at all, but at playgroup when a kid fell off a slide onto his head - and it turned out there was no registered first aider on site.

amusedchrissy · 20/01/2015 15:37

I plan to attend a refresher course (I am first aid qualified) as my sister is having twins this year and I will be an aunt for the first time!

vixo · 20/01/2015 16:26

My new skill this year is more of a refresher of an old skill. I'm determined to finish some knitting projects that have been abandoned for too long!

I sort of do first aid through my job every day, but not for children, so maybe I should have a look at the app since I have 3 small children of my own, and often seem to have loads more than that here!

purplediva · 20/01/2015 16:59

I am doing a first aid course in Feb through work and looking forward to having this knowledge, but hoping i will not need to use it too often!

lilmiztam22 · 20/01/2015 21:43

I've love to learn new languages and more music. But as for first aid I think it is so important to learn, I need to learn more! I would look at apps and books, it really is hard finding the time!

cocochips · 20/01/2015 22:32

I want to learn to code and write computer programmes

Kathderoet · 21/01/2015 02:29

I am going to learn more about computers this year and on the other end of the scale healthy cooking. I don't think it's ever too late to learn a new skill, I hope I continue to learn throughout life.

tabbaz123 · 21/01/2015 06:32

What a brilliant App. I really think that all parents should go on a first aid course especially as new parents as this gives a certain amount of confidence too (although we should all do refresher courses) This year I am working through my bucket list with determination so have a fair few new experiences and hopefully new skills to acquire - one of which is cake decorating

Catacat31 · 21/01/2015 07:25

I haven't done a first aid course for over 10 years so it's definitely time to refresh (relearn) my skills. There is an opportunity to become a first aider at work and this is the best route for me.

It's something me and my DP and sister (also a mum) often talk about - what if X happened? What would we do? How awful to feel completely helpless.

So thanks for the links to the online materials and the app which I'm going to download now.

Spirael · 21/01/2015 09:06

I doubt I'll get much time to learn extra new skills this year - returning to full time work after maternity leave with DD2 shortly so will likely be too busy! However I've been a first aider at work for over 10 years now and maintain a certificate for that, so I'm relatively confident in my first aid knowledge. It definitely helps me to keep a cool head in an emergency! (I just fall to pieces once it's all over. Wink)

nonnyno · 21/01/2015 10:37

I want to know how to recognise and deal with strokes and heart attacks.

BeeRayKay · 21/01/2015 11:20

I have a list of skills to learn this year and I'm well on my way with

First Aid: Local Sure start centre put me through a course at the start of the year

Spanish: Downloaded an App on January 1st, used it every day and speak exclusively in spanish to my father in law who lives there. helps both of us

Driving: take my test (third time lucky) again next month :-)

All of thse are helping my mental health and the family in unmeasurable amounts.

Also completing a degree but that hardly counts.

MummyFever · 21/01/2015 13:12

I am doing a first aid course on Friday at the children's school - hoping to refresh my knowledge.