FIRST AID IN SCHOOLS

Parents understand the importance of being able to act swiftly and calmly in First Aid situations, with 98% of Aussie parents, who took part in research by Elastoplast, agreeing that being involved in a previous accident had highlighted the need for basic First Aid knowledge. With children being adventurous, sometimes an adult may not be immediately close by, highlighting the importance for children to have confidence in their own First Aid skills so they feel empowered in their ability to help themselves and each other when needed.

First aid training in schools

A recent study showed that 81% of parents believe children as young as three years old should be able to dial triple zero and ask for help, opening up the conversation around where and when children should be participating in their own First Aid training.

Whilst 50% of parents believe that parents and guardians are responsible for teaching age appropriate First Aid to children, 78% believe First Aid should be taught at schools, with 4-7 years being the age group where more than half (56%) of parents believe this teaching should commence.

To provide a solution, Elastoplast is running its Kids First Aid School Program for its third year in a row, equipping teachers with the knowledge to teach basic first aid in schools, and empower students with the skills they require to keep themselves and each other safe. Developed with ACHPER (The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation,) the program is useful for all aspects of life and is curriculum approved, integrating First Aid knowledge into foundational, Year 1 & 2 learning structures.

Dr Sue Whatman, President of ACHPER, states “Schools are places where children are meant to learn and be kept safe. The curriculum is supposed to equip them with life skills that they will carry on outside of the classroom. With this Kids First Aid Program, we are confident that teachers have the necessary resources to teach children these essential life skills that help them keep themselves and others safe, also giving parents peace of mind.”

Parents and first aid training

Children having accidents is a parent’s worst nightmare, so ensuring life-saving knowledge is learnt at a young age will inevitably put Aussies at ease and encourage decisive action and decision making when it matters most. Elastoplast’s mission is to grow the next generation of life savers by providing children with the tools to not only treat minor injuries, but to help them recognise and respond to unsafe situations by either sending for help or knowing who to call in an emergency.

We have identified parents are putting First Aid high on the agenda to learn. The majority of Aussie parents (85%) have attended First Aid training, with over half (54%) having done so within the last two years, and a quarter (23%) within the last 12 months.

While nine in ten (90%) Aussie parents have at least some level of knowledge of First Aid, only 14% say they are confident/ proficient in using it, making the need for refresher training vital in equipping parents to act quickly and calmly in the case of an accident.

The most common reasons Aussie parents give for why they have not undertaken any First Aid training include lack of time (41%), not knowing how/where to get trained (40%) and concerns around the cost (29%). As a result, Elastoplast has introduced an engaging and educational age appropriate Kids First Aid school program with practical lessons that will kick-start their children's First Aid learning process. Evidence suggests that learning from a young age can increase the likelihood that children will retain and utilise this knowledge in the future, meaning parents can feel reassured their child will grow up with confidence to be able to respond to emergency situations.

Developed in collaboration with ACHPER, the Elastoplast Kids First Aid Program provides schools across the country with free, curriculum-aligned resources focusing on the key first aid knowledge areas – recognising and responding to unsafe situations, treating minor injuries and sending for help.

Each school that registers will receive free lesson plans, classroom activity sheets, Elastoplast first aid product samples and even a pack of 1st First Aid Certificates to hand out to students when they have completed the program.

If you'd like your school to get involved direct them to www.elastoplast.com.au/pages/kidsfirst-aid-program for more information and registration