This November, thousands of children in schools across the country are set to learn vital life saving skills in the nation's biggest first aid lesson.
St John Ambulance is calling for teachers to sign up to The Big First Aid Lesson to ensure that every child, in every school across the country, has the chance to learn life saving skills, so that they have the knowledge and confidence to become the next generation of life savers.
The free, hour long, Big First Aid Lesson will be streamed into schools across the country on 3 November. This year's lesson is aimed at key stages 1-3, with a focus on Bonfire Night and learning about the dangers of fireworks, and how to treat common injuries, such as burns. It will also feature real-life first aid stories and demonstrations of first aid techniques. By making first aid accessible, fun, and easy to learn, students can gain the confidence to do the right thing when it counts in an emergency situation.
Credit: St John Ambulance
Two children's TV favourites will be presenting this year's lesson; BAFTA award winning 'Secret Life of Boys' star, Reece Buttery, as well as CBeebies' 'Get Well Soon', Dr Ranj.
Reece Buttery is this year's main presenter and will be talking through examples of when first aid is needed as well as the technique for each injury. As a St John Ambulance cadet, Reece knows the importance of first aid and the impact that such simple skills can have. TV favourite and last year's presenter Dr Ranj makes a guest appearance this year.
There have been lots of cases of young children saving people's lives using first aid skills that they have learnt at school. For example, in June five-year-old Oliver Bevans saved his younger brother's life when he started to choke during dinner. When Stanley, three, began to choke on a meatball, Oliver calmly gave his little brother three back slaps, clearing the obstruction and saving his life.
Thankfully, Oliver had learnt first aid skills just the week before the incident when first aiders had given a demonstration to his school. If Oliver hadn't had learnt the skills that he did that day, Stanley's story may be a very different one.
Credit: St John Ambulance
For schools looking to get involved, all you need is an internet connection and a screen for pupils to watch in the classroom or school hall. No specialist first aid equipment is required but free resources can be downloaded at www.sja.org.uk/bigfirstaidlesson. This year includes interactive elements, such as quizzes and physical exercises for students to take part in.
There is no limit to the number of classes per school that can participate, but each class must be registered before 2.00pm on 3 November to take part on the day. It's also possible to watch the Big First Aid Lesson after it has been aired, simply by registering at the link above.
If you're a parent and your child is on half term, or your child is home schooled, you can still take part, simply by signing up.
For more information visit www.sja.org.uk/bigfirstaidlesson.