Why CPR & AED training should be part of the National teaching curriculum

“The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.” – UK Government;

At defibshop.co.uk, it is our belief that should First Aid and AED training be added to the national curriculum and taught within secondary schools, UK survival figures from cardiac arrest would increase quite substantially. So why is not part of the curriculum already?

Adding First Aid and AED training could be seen as an extension of every young person’s development in an effort to combat low cardiac arrest survival figures.

Currently in the UK, the rate of initial bystander CPR is reported to be around 43% whilst only a mere 20% of cardiac arrest victims are in a ‘shockable’ rhythm when the emergency services arrive to help.

For us, this seems to present a perfectly good argument for at least first aid and CPR training to become part of the national curriculum taught in schools ensuring that, with the close of every school year there are a massive number of freshly trained first aiders moving into higher education or onto work.

Only 7% of the UK population have the skills and the ability to perform basic first aid assistance in an emergency – if first aid training was made to be a mandatory requirement for students at secondary school, every year there would be 1 million new first aiders in a generation.

In theory, the increase in first aiders will have a positive effect on survival figures for a cardiac arrest as there will be more members of the public who are able to assist when someone requires immediate care.

The inclusion of PSHE (Physical, Social, Health and Economic education) into the curriculum also provides a platform for first aid and defibrillator training to take place. At the very least a lesson or two examining how a defibrillator works, what they look like and where to find them could prove greatly beneficial in the long run for young people.

Some of the greatest fears and misconceptions surrounding the use of defibrillators are that a user could:

Hurt the patient by using a defibrillator Harm themselves when using a defibrillator, correctly or incorrectly Use a defibrillator on a patient when it is not required to do so

However, with the right training and prior knowledge all these fears can easily be put to bed and first aiders should have no fear when using a defibrillator to help save the life of someone who has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.

Now we realise that teachers and pupils alike already have a packed schedule when it comes to learning even what’s already contained within the national curriculum, but lessons in first aid and AED training would not have to be regular.

A lesson and refresher class system could perhaps be implemented as part of a PSHE cycle of topics and this would benefit both student and teacher as they gain knowledge of defibrillators and the critical rescue process involved in the immediate minutes following a cardiac arrest.

The use of a defibrillator and the immediate application of lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the only form of treatment for someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest. If this process is performed within 5 minutes of collapse, survival chances increase from 6% to 74%.

When we conducted a survey asking parents if they thought first aid and AED training should be made mandatory for teachers and pupils at school, the overwhelming response was yes to both with 76% of the vote. Similarly when asked if defibrillators should be made mandatory in all schools, 92% of responses agreed that they should become a permanent fixture within schools.

And in a recent poll conducted by the St John’s Ambulance service where over 1000 teachers in England were asked about teaching first aid training at school, 57% said it would need to be part of the national curriculum in order for more schools to teach.

“Modern AEDs are inexpensive, simple to operate and safe for users. The AED will analyse the individual’s heart rhythm and apply a shock to restart it, or advise that CPR should be continued. Voice and/or visual prompts will guide the rescuer through the entire process from when the device is first switched on or opened.” – UK Department for Education;

Is it high time that the government included first aid and AED training in schools curriculum? We think, for the benefit of future generations – this is a must.

For more information, please contact our friendly and impartial defibshop customer service team on on 0845 071 0830, or alternatively you can fill out one of our contact forms and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

We also have a brand new ‘Defibs for School’ offer which could be exactly what you’re looking for containing the incredibly easy to use CU Medical Systems iPAD SP1 AED. The package also includes two rescue kits, two sets of electrode pads, and A3 wall sign, wall bracket and our defibshop exclusive 10 year warranty.Learn more about defibrillators