First Aid in Schools
Table of contents
First Aid
First aid refers to the initial, urgent assistance provided to someone who has sustained an injury or illness. First assistance may be sufficient in cases of minor illnesses and injuries. First aid is often administered by someone who has received first aid training. It should be administered in more critical or life-threatening situations until a medical professional can be summoned. First aid that is properly delivered can make the difference between life and death.
The purpose of first aid, commonly known as the three P’s, stands for:
- Promote recovery.
- Prevent the situation from worsening.
- Preserve life.
Importance of First Aid in Schools
Children at school are often more likely to suffer injuries and be engaged in accidents. Although most of these injuries will probably be minor, a kid or young person could occasionally suffer a severe or life-threatening injury on school property.
In addition, compared to adults, children may experience far more severe illnesses and medical issues. First aid can lessen the severity of a problem, stop injuries and illnesses from getting worse, and even save a life.
The majority of accidents that happen in schools take place during physical education classes and other outdoor activities.
Statistics Demonstrating the Importance of First Aid in Schools:
- Every year, 400,000 youngsters in the UK suffer injuries at school.
- A cardiac arrest claims the lives of 270 kids and teenagers per year while attending school.
- Only 5% of adults, according to the Red Cross, are competent to administer first aid in an emergency.
- According to the HSE, 1,668 major injuries to teachers and other staff members occurred in schools in a year.
It is crucial to provide teachers and other members of the school staff with first-aid training and expertise for the following reasons:
- Prevents condition from worsening
- Increases feelings of security for students and faculty
- Preserves life
- Meets legal requirements
- Fast treatment
- Reduces the likelihood of an accident occurring
First Aid Training for Staff
Even though first aid classes can be performed online, it is always advised to attend face-to-face training, particularly when children are involved. You must participate in at least 6 hours of face-to-face instruction for paediatric first aid and 6 hours of face-to-face instruction for emergency first aid.
First aid training for school staff should be planned carefully to meet the minimal standards for face-to-face instruction. Every member of the school personnel ought to be at least minimally trained in first aid.
The overseer should be a designated member of staff who works at the school. It’s possible that they don’t always provide first aid.
The designated staff member will:
- Take control if someone is ill or hurt.
- Make sure the first aid supplies are stocked and regularly replaced.
- When required, make sure to call an ambulance or other medical personnel.
All certified first aiders must possess a current certificate issued by a body that has received the Health and Safety Executive’s approval (HSE). Paediatric course made especially for school employees is advised because regular first aid classes frequently do not cover kid resuscitation techniques.
Importance of Teaching First Aid in Schools
A legal requirement to teach first aid in schools did not exist until 2020. Very few UK schools offer any first aid instruction in their curricula.
Important organisations like the British Heart Foundation and the Resuscitation Council had been pushing for years for first aid to be taught in schools, but it wasn’t until the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 that the government was persuaded to act. The results of Lord Kerslake’s investigation revealed that although members of the public acted bravely after the bombing, they lacked the necessary first aid knowledge. He suggested that all schools around the nation teach first aid in the future.
Statistics Relating to First Aid:
- In the UK, more than 300,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals each year. Less than 1 in 10 of these 300,000 individuals survive.
- According to the British Red Cross, if first aid had been administered, up to 59% of injury-related deaths would have been avoided.
- Additionally, the British Red Cross claimed that having first aid training might lessen the number of trips to accident and emergency (A&E) rooms and ease some of the strain on the NHS.
- Even without first aid training, a quarter of young people have had to deal with asthma episodes, and a third have had to deal with head injuries.
Teaching first aid to students can assist them boost recovery, stop the situation from worsening, and preserve life outside of school, in addition to keeping them and their friends safer in the classroom. By teaching first aid to kids and teenagers, we can perhaps lead society with fewer avoidable deaths as they mature into adults.
First Aid Training For Students
The Department for Education (DfE) confirmed in 2020 that basic first aid and CPR instruction must be part of the curriculum in all state-funded schools in England. Now, first aid will be covered as part of health education for kids. The first aid instruction will change depending on the pupils’ ages.
Students in primary schools will learn the following:
- Introductory knowledge of first aid for common injuries, such as head injuries.
- How to contact emergency services.
Students in secondary schools will learn the following:
- Simple first aid for common illnesses and injuries.
- Essential life-saving abilities, including CPR techniques.
- When to use one and how to use one.
A qualified first aider can instruct pupils in first aid. However, it is advised that teachers take part in specialised training to update their first aid knowledge and discover how to instruct first aid to kids. First aid instruction courses for school employees will guarantee they are competent in providing first aid and can effectively instruct kids. Lessons should be designed to be enjoyable, engaging, and productive.
First Aid Training in Schools Involve
The following are some fundamental abilities that students will learn:
- To get in touch with emergency services and explain the situation clearly.
- The significance of assessing the area’s safety and how to do it.
- To remain composed and reason
- The significance of conversing with the patient and maintaining their alertness.
- Learn more about the illness or injury.
- Handle blood loss, bleeding, and scrapes. This will also cover how to apply pressure to a bleeding cut.
- To handle burns.
- Putting on a bandage.
- To handle a fracture, break, or sprain.
- CPR instruction.
- How to respond if you suffer a brain injury.
- What to do if an allergic response occurs.
