How much first aid do you know?

An insect sting, loss of blood, a broken arm, heat stroke, unconsciousness, dehydration.

These are just some of the injuries that could require basic first aid skills, but would you know what to do?

A third of people have no idea how to provide basic first aid to deal with common accidents and injuries that may occur, with many unsure how to treat life-threatening head injuries or bleeding

A third of people have no idea how to provide basic first aid to deal with common accidents and injuries that may occur, with many unsure how to treat life-threatening head injuries or bleeding, according to new research revealed today.

The national survey of 2,600 people was commissioned by DK and the UK’s leading first aid providers, St John Ambulance, St Andrew’s First Aid and the British Red Cross to mark national First Aid Awareness Week (June 28-July 2). The charities are urging the public to equip themselves with a first aid manual to get up to speed. It could be a matter of life and death...

Respondents were most unsure how to deal with a head injury (56.8 per cent), someone who was unconscious (51.9 per cent), or a casualty who was bleeding severely (42.8 per cent).

While 49 per cent of respondents or their children had been stung by a bee, only 25.5 per cent of people actually knew how to treat a sting, which in some circumstances can be fatal.

Nearly 80 per cent of people carry a first aid kit in their car, so they are ready to deal with an emergency, but the survey has revealed that this may be in vain, as most people do not know what to do when faced with a casualty anyway.

The majority of people have not recently undertaken a First Aid course, so have no up-to-date training in first aid procedures. As first aid regularly changes, it is extremely important that people take first aid courses on a regular basis, so that they are able to deal with any medical emergency as and when it arises.

Isobel Kearl from St John Ambulance speaking on behalf of the leading first aid provider said: “If you don’t have time for a first aid course then getting a copy of the manual is the next best thing. It means that you won’t be caught short of information if someone you know and love is harmed.”

Now in its 9th edition, The First Aid Manual is still the only guide to be written and authorised by the UK’s three leading first aid providers, St John Ambulance, St Andrew’s First Aid and the British Red Cross.

For further details on courses and first aid kit supplies, please visit the following websites:

- St John Ambulance - www.sja.org.uk

- St. Andrew’s First Aid - www.firstaid.org.uk

- British Red Cross - www.redcross.org.uk