When most people think of first aid training, they imagine a room filled with adults learning how to treat various injuries. But what about teenagers and young people? First aid is just as important for them as it is for anyone else. In fact, there are a few things that young people should know specifically in order to stay safe. Here are some key points to keep in mind.

Young people are at risk.

Since 2014, adolescent mortality in the UK has increased from 17.5 to 18.0 per 100,000 young people aged 10 to 19. Furthermore, assault mortality accounts for 3.0 percent of all deaths among those aged 15 to 19. (25 out of 831 deaths in England and Wales). (RCPCH, 2020).

Young people are becoming increasingly more independent and have a propensity for risk taking. "Adolescence is inherently a time when individuals are highly motivated to seek rewards but not entirely able to rein in these inclinations, some experimentation with risky activity may be unavoidable." (Duell et al., 2017).

In addition The Children’s Society says there are approximately 800,000 young carers in the UK. They also report that 39% of young carers said that nobody in their school was aware of their caring responsibilities. (The Children's Society, 2022). So let’s not forget that our young people will not just be looking after other young people.

How are we doing in the UK?

The evidence is clear that better education and early recognition of sudden illness or injury leads to significantly better outcomes. For example "There is huge geographical variation in out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes, with some localities leading the way. In Norway, where CPR has been part of the national school curriculum since 1961, the average survival from OHCA is 25%." (The Lancet, 2018). Conversely "In the UK there are over 30,000 OHCA a year where emergency medical services attempt to resuscitate the victim. However, the survival rate is low – just 1 in 10 people in the UK survive an OHCA." (Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests, 2020).

The big question therefore is; If Norway can achieve this then why can't we?

We strongly believe that if young people undertake first aid training early then we can embed the skills necessary for them to care for someone who is injured or unwell, and perhaps even save someone's life.

The government has been listening somewhat it seems. Draft regulations, statutory guidance, and a regulatory impact assessment relating to Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education have been swimming around since 2018 which would mandate both primary and secondary schools to provide first aid training to varying degrees. However, to date there is no movement on this issue and young people are not being equipped with the skills they need.

What can you/we do?

Young people can access first aid training through a number of private training providers including NR Medical Training. Our Qualsafe Awards Emergency First Aid At Work course is a one day course that can be undertaken by anyone aged 14 and over. We offer a discounted rate if learners are aged between 14 and 17 and we can deliver this course anywhere in Norfolk or the East of England. This course can help prepare young people for college, apprenticeships and University. Our instructor Neil has experience working with and engaging young people from his time working with the Fire Service Youth Engagement Scheme (YES). This project was designed as an early intervention for young people at risk. Aiming to empower young people to make better choices and ultimately increase self esteem, resilience, grit and determination while celebrating their achievements.

Parents and guardians can also encourage their children's schools to provide first aid training as part of the curriculum and contact their local MP.

We’d love to hear your experiences and what local schemes operate in your area. Leave a comment below to let us know.

You may also be interested in our blog on stop the bleed.

For more information on our First Aid Courses In Norfolk and the East of England for 14-17 year olds call:

01603 339 159

Duell, N., Steinberg, L., Icenogle, G., Chein, J., Chaudhary, N., Di Giunta, L., Dodge, K.A., Fanti, K.A., Lansford, J.E., Oburu, P., Pastorelli, C., Skinner, A.T., Sorbring, E., Tapanya, S., Uribe Tirado, L.M., Alampay, L.P., Al-Hassan, S.M., Takash, H.M.S., Bacchini, D. and Chang, L. (2017). Age Patterns in Risk Taking Across the World. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, [online] 47(5), pp.1052–1072. doi:10.1007/s10964-017-0752-y.
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests (2020). Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests. [online] British Heart Foundation. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-public-affairs/transforming-healthcare/out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrests#:~:text=In%20the%20UK%20there%20are.
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (2020) State of Child Health. London: RCPCH. [Available at: stateofchildhealth.rcpch.ac.uk]
The Children's Society (2022). Facts About Young Carers | The Children’s Society. [online] www.childrenssociety.org.uk. Available at: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/supporting-young-carers/facts-about-young-carers.
The Lancet (2018). Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a unique medical emergency. The Lancet, 391(10124), p.911. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30552-x.