The benefits of teaching first aid at school

The National Curriculum which is set out by the Government provides a framework for all students across the UK, and with first aid training not currently incorporated within the National Curriculum, many people, including students feel that teenagers are missing out on the opportunity to enhance their development.
 

Many children are often unfortunately put in the situation which requires the need for first aid care to be provided and with a report finding that 66% of those interviewed who have needed to give care, reported to not have the confidence to deal with the situation, the importance of first aid being taught in schools cannot be underestimated. Parents of students are said to be in support of the concept, following on from the British Red Cross Survey finding that just 20% of those students questioned said they had received some form of first aid training within the classroom. 
 

The recent British Red Cross survey also found that students were supportive of the concept of first aid training being taught within schools. A massive 91% of those surveyed wished that their school offered the opportunity to learn what is deemed by many as a crucial life skill, purely based on the doubt within their minds as to whether they would be able to deal with a situation.
 

It can also be argued that gaining an understanding of first aid care whilst in education could be beneficial for an individual when progressing in life and into the workplace, especially as a recent report found only 7% of people felt confident enough to step up in time of need. With students across the country moving into industries such as that of construction, there remains a need to grasp what must be done in the case of an emergency. With the sector accounting for 10% of all major injuries in the UK workforce, a prior understanding of what is required, gained through the national curriculum would prove only beneficial.
 

With many European countries incorporating first aid training within their National Curriculum, is it time that the UK took note and did the same, especially as simple skills which can be learnt in a lesson, could save someone's life.
 

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