North Suffolk first aid trainer wants legislation changed

A report from the British Heart Foundation revealed earlier this week that More than four in 10 adults in the UK do not know how to perform CPR

Male instructor showing CPR on training doll
Author: Jasmine OakPublished 4th Feb 2024

A first aid training company in Suffolk wants legislation to change so that small businesses also know first aid.

A report from the British Heart Foundation revealed earlier this week that more than 4 in 10 adults in the UK do not know how to perform CPR.

"A poll conducted on behalf of the charity also identified generational differences, with Gen Z (those aged 12 to 26) more likely to be better trained in the life-saving skill compared with older generations.”

Michele Judd runs MJ Training in Lowestoft, which offers first aid courses. She told us her son "wouldn't be here today without CPR."

Her son was 27 years old when he had a seizure and had to be resuscitated by a work colleague, who thankfully had first-aid training.

Michele commented that she wants first aid to be more common throughout society, for example, she explained how only a small percentage of people in the workplace are trained in first aid, but that it is only a legal requirement for companies above a certain size.

Not only this but many schools "unless they have children under the age of 5 "only do the emergency first aid at work course, which is gauged at adults." and "not every person working in childcare has full child CPR training."

She also wants to see children being taught first aid from a young age, ideally in primary school as they would "grow up with, it would be normal."

She also emphasised the importance of continuing to refresh your memory on first aid as "you get a skill fade within about six weeks" meaning the basics may stay with you but it will be likely you will have gaps in your knowledge.

"you need to practice this, like anything, if you don't use it, you lose it."

She wants people's perspectives to change to realise "how important this (CPR) actually is." as "Anyone could have a cardiac arrest."

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