TEWKESBURY News

Showcasing the skills of the next generation of young life savers

9:00am Thursday 26th January 2012

SCHOOLS in Gloucestershire are being urged to take part in a national first aid competition aimed at equipping the next generation with the skills to save lives.

The St John Ambulance National Schools’ First Aid Competition encourages school teams to battle for the title by carrying out first aid in a variety of scenarios on live ‘casualties’.

The contest, held in regional rounds followed by a national competition in London in June 2012, tests youngsters’ first aid knowledge, treatment and teamwork.

The search is now on for more school first aid teams to take part. Teams of four plus a reserve can enter junior and senior categories and will take part in a South West regional heat in June.

If successful at the regional round, they then go through to the national final, which takes place at the Natural History Museum in London on Wednesday, June 27. Teams must have completed levels from the St John Ambulance Young First Aider course and enter by Friday, February 24.

Jim Jones, Schools, Community and Youth Development Co-ordinator for St John Ambulance in Gloucestershire, said: “First aid improves self-esteem, develops confidence and fosters a sense of belonging and service. Nearly seven out of ten pupils said they wouldn’t know what to do if someone they knew was hurt, yet 72 per cent of these children would like to learn first aid and 83 per cent said they would feel more confident helping those around them if they were taught first aid.

“The competition is a great challenge and great fun. We use ‘casualties’ who act out anything from heart attacks to someone stopping breathing, along with a variety of fake wounds. The children love having their knowledge put to the test, even if it is a little nerve-wracking.

“We hope as many schools as possible take part in our young first aider training and compete in our national schools competitions, so that these young people can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”

All schools competition participants need to have learnt first aid skills through the Young First Aider Course. There is still time for schools to sign up and take part in the competitions.

For more information and to enter the competitions or to contact your county schools liaison officer, telephone 08700 10 49 50 or visit teachthedifference.org.uk.

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