Call for First Aid Training in Schools

The Order of Malta Ireland has called for mandatory first aid training to be implemented in transition year at secondary school.

The call was made at the launch of the annual ‘Be First Aid Prepared – Accidents Happen’ campaign, which is run by first aid antiseptic, TCP in conjunction with Order of Malta Ireland. The campaign aims to encourage families to be prepared for accidents that may occur in and around the home and garden during the summer, which research shows is the peak time for accidents (Dept Health and Children, EHLASS, 2002).

Research carried out by TCP shows that 50% of Irish people have not participated in a first aid course. Winnie Maye, National Director, Order of Malta Ambulance Corps, said this statistic is of great concern.

“A basic knowledge of first aid is essential and provides valuable skills, which may some day lessen the pain and trauma of someone you care about and may even help in saving someone’s life,” she said.

The TCP survey also revealed that while 40% of people use a first aid kit in the home on a monthly basis, 60% are unsure or don’t know what a first aid kit should contain.

Order of Malta Ireland recommends that in addition to attending a first aid course, every household should have a well-stocked first aid kit with the following basic requirements:

• Plasters
• Varying sizes of sterile wound dressings
• Antiseptic solution
• Burns dressing
• Bandages
• Paramedic shears
• Eye pad
• Gloves
• Resuscitation barrier and safety pins.

Order of Malta Ireland has also outlined a series of handy tips on how best to protect family members from accidents around the home. The TCP First Aid Tip Sheet can be downloaded from http://www.orderofmalta.ie

Posted Monday 30th June 2008