Brighton and Hove one of UK's worst for first aid training (From The Argus)

Brighton and Hove one of UK's worst for first aid training

3:00pm Wednesday 26th September 2012 in News By Ben James

Just one in six Brighton and Hove adults know potentially lifesaving basic first aid skills, new figures reveal.

The worrying 12%, which compare to a 25% national average, makes the city one of the most poorly trained in the UK.

St John Ambulance, who carried out the study, is now calling on residents to take it upon themselves to learn the basics.

The volunteer service report that 140,000 people die each year in England and Wales in medical emergencies where first aid could have saved their lives. This compares to 138,000 cancer deaths.

However, 52% of Brighton and Hove residents take action to improve their chances against cancer compared to just the 12% learning first aid.

Additionally 52% of respondents claimed to make changes to their diet with 55% deciding not to smoke and 35% increasing the amount they exercise.

Becky Trotman, from the service, said: “We have no idea why so few people know first aid in Brighton but it is concerning.”

The research has been carried out to coincide with the service’s campaign to encourage members of the public to learn first aid.

Mark Farmer, St John’s regional director, added: “Learning life saving skills is so simple. That’s why it’s so concerning that so few of us know even basic first aid.”

One man who has made a difference from being first aid trained is Micky Tindall.

In June, the veteran cricketer was keeping wicket when 64-year-old batsman Jim Smallbone dropped to the floor with a heart attack.

Tindall, 61, who volunteers as a community first responder, put him in a recovery position and started performing CPR.

He said: “I saw him go down and my training just kicked in. I lost his pulse a couple of times but managed to keep him alive until the air ambulance came.”

St John Ambulance is urging everyone to learn the skills needed for five common life-threatening situations. To get your free pocket-sized guide text HELP to 80039.