Survey reveals lack of first aid knowledge

Imagine that you were out shopping or on your way to work and saw a child collapse in the street; they are unconscious and not breathing. What would you do? Shockingly, only around one in ten people would act to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), according to new research released recently.  

Revealing statistics

A national survey of 2,784 people was commissioned by DK and the UK's leading first aid providers St John Ambulance, St Andrew's First Aid and British Red Cross to mark national First Aid Awareness Week (11 to 15 April, 2011). It showed that only 14% of bystanders would administer CPR, with the overwhelming majority of people (77%) opting instead to call 999. A further 9% would ask for help from others.

People more likely to attempt to resuscitate family members 

Interestingly, people are much more likely to administer CPR on their immediate family. When asked what they would do if their own father collapsed, his heart had stopped and he was not breathing, nearly two in five people (38%) said that they would administer CPR. However, the majority (58%) would still opt first to call the emergency services.

Mouth to mouth puts people off attempting CPR

The survey also reveals that most people are put off by the idea of giving mouth-to-mouth. When asked if they would be more likely to carry out CPR if chest compression only was required, just over half (56%) say they would be more likely to try and resuscitate a casualty.

Lack of confidence

This year, First Aid Awareness Week (11-15 April) focused on CPR; its aim was to raise awareness of major changes to resuscitation protocols and also to highlight the fact that you no longer need training to use a defibrillator.

Clive James, Training Development Manager at St John Ambulance said: 'These findings reveal a nationwide lack of knowledge and confidence towards CPR which we aimed to address during First Aid Awareness Week. The survey has highlighted a need to raise awareness of important guideline changes such as the fact that anyone can now use a defibrillator. We want to encourage all members of the public to try CPR in an emergency situation, as "having a go" is better than doing nothing and could help save a life.'

Maintenance the key

The findings from the survey indicate not only is it important to attend a first aid training course, but also to maintain skills and confidence through regular engagement with the subject.

'This is why St John Ambulance first aiders trained on selected courses are offered free or half price refresher training. It's also why we developed an interactive e-learning module, so first aiders trained on our courses can regularly test their decision making in simulated emergencies from their desktop,' said Richard Evens, Training Director from St John Ambulance.

Updated to include the new resuscitation protocols, the Revised 9th Edition First Aid Manual, published by DK, is the UK's only fully authorised first aid reference guide and is an invaluable publication for all businesses and homes.

Though not as fully comprehensive as the First Aid Manual, the award-winning St John Ambulance iPhone app means people can always have clear, illustrated first aid guidance to hand, to help them be the difference between a lives lost and lives saved.