Schools urged to showcase life saving skills

Schools in Sussex are being urged to come forward to take part in a national schools first aid competition – and help equip the next generation with invaluable skills.

The St John Ambulance National Schools’ First Aid Competition encourages school teams to battle it out for the title by carrying out first aid in a variety of real life settings.

The contest – held in regional rounds followed by a national competition in London in June 2011 – tests youngsters’ first aid knowledge, treatment and teamwork.

The search is now on for more schools first aid teams to take part. Teams of four plus a reserve can enter junior and senior categories and take part in regional heats to be held in Horsham on 5 and 6 May 2011. If successful in the regional round they then go through to the national final, which takes place at the Natural History Museum in London on 29 June. Teams must have completed levels from the St John Ambulance Young First Aider course and need to have entered by 28 February.

Elaine Howlings, responsible for schools training at St John Ambulance, said: ‘First aid improves self-esteem, develops confidence and fosters a sense of belonging and service. Nearly 7 out of 10 pupils said they wouldn’t know what to do if someone they knew was hurt, yet 72% of these children would like to learn first aid and 83% said they would feel more confident helping those around them if they were taught first aid. We would urge as many schools as possible to take part in our young first aider training and compete in our national schools competitions, so that they can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.’

Pam Leadbeater of Tanbridge House School in Horsham, where the competition is to be held said: ‘Tanbridge has great pride in hosting this competition and supporting St John Ambulance. The knowledge that our students gain through St John, both through the school clubs and in lessons, could one day help them save lives therefore the competition is a fantastic thing to be a part of.’

St John Ambulance teaches valuable life skills to young people by training them in first aid, in schools and through its youth schemes. More than 600,000 pupils are trained each year in schools across the country.

All participants need to have learnt first aid skills through the Young First Aider Course – St John Ambulance’s interactive training pack which is easy for teachers and pupils to use. There is still time for schools to sign up for the Young First Aider Course 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 www.sja.org.uk or www.teachthedifference.org.uk