Over 50% of children in the UK lack basic first aid skills, and would be unable to help at the scene of an accident.
According to a recent survey conducted for the British Red Cross and Toyota by the Children's Forum, 60% of children lack the knowledge to be able help themselves and others at the scene of a road accident.
The children surveyed were between 9 and 13 years old, the age range most at risk of injury on the road.
Over 1,800 children in this group are killed or seriously injured in road accidents every year, and many lives could be saved if first aid is given before the emergency services arrive.
Schoolchildren are eager to turn this around, with 94% of them wanting to learn more about first aid.
In an article in 'The Scotsman' last month, Dr Robert Stewart calls for primary school pupils to be taught the principles of first aid and accident prevention as a lesson in the classroom.
"From an early age, children should be taught how to call an ambulance in an emergency and give a clear message on the telephone.
Recently, we had the example of a young child telephoning for help when her diabetic mother was having a low blood-sugar crisis.
When children play with their friends beyond the range of adults, accidents can happen and simple first aid measures can be vital or even life-saving.
Bleeding is frightening, and its arrest is important.
Children should know how to press firmly on a bleeding wound and elevate it above the heart.
" In another recent survey conducted by the Red Cross, 90% of 1,960 adults questioned believed that first aid should be a compulsory lesson in school.
Simple first aid techniques such as tilting back the head of an unconscious person could save a life.
The dramatic increase in knife crime reported over the last year has led to some inner city schools installing metal detectors in a bid to prevent knives being carried into school.
Would school children know what to do if faced with a knife injury? The survey shows that only 42% of 11 to 14 year olds would know how to treat someone with a knife injury to their hand, with 41% removing the knife and thus increasing blood loss.
"There are certain life-saving skills that all young people should know, wherever they live in the UK, and teaching children in school is the ideal way to make this happen.
"However, the provision for first aid education on the curriculum varies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and nowhere are young people required to learn a comprehensive set of skills that would prepare them for an emergency" insists Joe Mulligan, head of first aid at the British Red Cross.
First aid could be included as part of the Personal Social and Health Education lessons in school, and perhaps individual schools may decide to include it in their programme in the future.
Being prepared for any emergency situation is the key to handling it safely and effectively.
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