Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
Student Paramedics tackle knife and drugs dangers in school
Share:
by generaldecay | January 27, 2009 at 10:11 am
590 views | 58 Recommendations | 24 comments
Student paramedics from the University of the West of England have visited secondary and special schools to give first-aid skills training, utilising three real-life topics relevant to young peoples' everyday lives as part of an Aim Higher campaign.
The three strands of the campaign include; 'Cut it Out' - the dangers and consequences of carrying knives; 'Tackling drugs – Saving Lives' the consequences of taking drugs and what to do when things go wrong; 'Don't Walk away' the effects of using alcohol and what to do when things go wrong.
I feel sad that this is the stage our society has reached. We're now giving advice to young people on how to assist victims of stabbing. It makes sense of course. Immediate attention is required in stabbings and, more often than not, friends are the only people present. These measures could lead to saved lives. Still, though, it's a pretty shocking indictment, I think.
Student paramedics are ideally situated to deliver the health messages about the possible consequences of carrying knives and using drugs. The students provide good role-models and give advice to the young people to help them develop confidence about how to resist peer pressure.
Florence Brown Community School, a Bristol based special school that works successfully with young people who have a range of complex needs is the first school to take part. Forty 13-16 year olds took part in three workshop sessions over the course of a day. In the knives workshop they learned how to control bleeding and minimise shock; in the alcohol workshop they learned how to place each other in to the recovery position; and in the drugs workshop they learned rescue breathing and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Most Recommended Comment
Recommendations (58)
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan
mudricky
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Rachel Nixon
Vancouver, Canada
Marisa Olivia
Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia
sara star
Halifax, NS, Canada
Karenke4
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Amy Judd
Vancouver, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (24)
at 10:22 on January 27th, 2009
You're right - it's sad but necessary to prevent needless deaths.
at 10:32 on January 27th, 2009
That seems to be the case, Rachel.
at 10:37 on January 27th, 2009
many of this issues could be dealt with communal responsibility and solidarity. As well as Parental guidance and higher expectations and standards.
at 10:38 on January 27th, 2009
Ah, but that's what most western societies have been saying for years. And each of the things your refer to are becoming less common.
at 11:37 on January 27th, 2009
Why are they getting lost though? Especially in North America followed closely by Europe. Here in Japan the problem is by far not even remotely comparable due to a very strong and solidarity and high family values as well as high expectation on dicipline and honour.
at 12:31 on January 27th, 2009
The One Million Dollar Question. I don't know. That's what people like me spend our time trying to find out! :)
at 11:00 on January 27th, 2009
Wow, times have certainly changed.
at 12:31 on January 27th, 2009
Haven't they just!
at 12:14 on January 27th, 2009
lets hope it works but its worth a try i suppose
at 12:31 on January 27th, 2009
Yes, Luke.
at 15:57 on January 27th, 2009
Let me just tell you after 13 years on the Fire Department and Rescue Squad, if you were in trouble and needed help, it would'nt matter if the person was a 5 years old as long as they knew what they were doing. I think it's great
at 16:59 on January 27th, 2009
Geronimo, as painted on a mural by a teenager incarcerated in Philadelphia.
morganfitzp has contributed a photo to this story.
at 17:00 on January 27th, 2009
Alice, a good post but not sure it will change anything?
at 17:49 on January 27th, 2009
of cause, if you do harm by trying to save a life, you'll leave yourself open to being sued which happens in the US but probably not in the UK?
at 20:26 on January 27th, 2009
There is the good "Good Samaritan laws laws or acts protecting from liability those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill. They are intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Samaritan_law
at 18:01 on January 27th, 2009
QJones (not verified) Good Samaritan law in the United States can protect from liability those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill.
at 18:23 on January 27th, 2009
Rhonda from your own quote
In some jurisdictions, good Samaritan laws only protect those who have completed basic first aid training and are certified by health organizations, such as the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, St. John Ambulance or American Safety and Health Institute, provided that they have acted within the scope of their training. In these jurisdictions, a person that is neither trained in first aid nor certified, and who performs first aid incorrectly, can still be held legally liable for errors made. In other jurisdictions, any rescuer is protected from liability, so long as the responder acted rationally.
at 19:59 on January 27th, 2009
QJones (not verified), perhaps I should have made myself more clear. It was my intention to clarify your statement "...if you do harm by trying to save a life, you'll leave yourself open to being sued which happens in the US...". In other words, it was my opinion that your statement implied that anyone who offered assistance could be sued. The Good Samaritan Law shows otherwise.
at 22:34 on January 27th, 2009
Rhonda, first off this is an American only law and not all States recognize it in full!
at 04:47 on January 28th, 2009
QJones (not verified), the following is from wiseGEEK "What Are Good Samaritan Laws"
"Although the basic guidelines of Good Samaritan Laws are universal, different countries have different views on the law. In some countries, for example the Canadian province of Quebec, the Good Samaritan Law is a legal requirement that makes helping the injured compulsory.
In some countries, Good Samaritan Laws do not exist. In countries such as Ireland and Lebanon, there are no guidelines regarding the Good Samaritan Law. In Italy, the minimum required assistance is to call for an ambulance if an injured or ill person is found. Italians who provide assistance are usually protected from court action. However, they can still have legal action taken against them if any harm comes to the person.
In France, it is a legal requirement to help someone who is injured. If an onlooker does not help, then he or she can be charged with failing to respect the law. In Germany, a person should provide help if it is required, and he or she is immune from prosecution if the assistance turns out to be harmful. The general consensus throughout the world seems to be that it is best to help someone who is injured, although in these days of mass litigation, it might be prudent to check the rules concerning your area first."
at 18:06 on January 27th, 2009
I think this is awesome. I'm a huge proponent of any kind of first aid knowledge - even if its not a stabbing-type situation, you never know when first aid skills will come in handy.
It's scary that something like this would ever be necessary, but they are being realistic, and this will probably save lives. People aren't going to change the structure of society overnight, so this will have to be a band-aid approach for the time being. Let's just hope they don't fall back on this one forever.
And I agree with QJones - I hope nobody gets sued and that they follow santiation procedures. That said, teaching someone to stop bleeding is totally different to teaching them how to move someone with a possible spinal injury. Pressure on a wound is pretty uncomplicated.
at 18:45 on January 27th, 2009
The learning of first-aid is to be commended and its something which should be taught at all school levels. I learnt first-aid many years ago and have been required to use it several times resulting in a life saved.
Learning first-aid should be part of obtaining a driving license since its road accidents which create the largest number of first-aid incidents. Drivers should be required to take a first-aid test every five years. All vehicles should be required by law to carry a proper and full first-aid kit.
AIDS/HIV and other deadly diseases, can make first-aid difficult especially with a major stabbing. Protection of the eyes, mouth and hands are needed and who carries goggles, face mask and cloves around with them?
I would never hesitant to help another human being...
at 19:45 on January 27th, 2009
This is a great article, It's very sad that they have to do this but its a good thing to do,
at 23:16 on January 27th, 2009
Important read for UK citizens
Source: resus.org.uk