Why Should Children Learn First Aid?
Learning basic First Aid skills is a requirement for many adults in the workplace. But why should we teach children the same skills?
Teaching First Aid became a compulsory part of the National Curriculum for PSHE in primary schools in 2020. Since then we have been bringing the Resus Rangers programme across the country and teaching children essential First Aid skills. But why is this important for children to learn?
There are many scenarios in which it would be beneficial for children to learn basic First Aid. If a child walked in on their parent or guardian laying unconscious on the floor they will know how to help them, whether that's calling for help or placing them in the recovery position. Alternatively, they may be able to guide another child or adult through how to perform basic First Aid if they are unable to do so themselves.
St. John's Ambulance has recently stated that 140,000 people die each year in the UK from incidents in which First Aid could have saved their lives. Having a whole new generation of First Aiders could help reduce this figure.
Some people have expressed concerns that First Aid is too complex a skill for children to learn. This is not the case at all - the First Aid that children need to do know is, at its core, very simple. Even if children are unsure on what to do, they can refer to their primary survey (DR ABC) to follow a simple process to find out what to do next.
Starting this essential skill early helps build the foundations to build upon for years to come - after primary school they will be mature enough to tackle other First Aid problems such as managing health conditions and more serious injuries. Having the basic skills early makes it easier for the children to develop their understanding as the years go on.
If you want your children to learn essential First Aid skills, you can book a Resus Rangers Workshop and help save lives! Click the button below for more information: