'The survey highlighted some of the most important first aid procedures that everyone should know and revealed an alarming lack of knowledge of even the most common scenarios,' says a St John Ambulance spokeswoman.
The study, published to highlight First Aid Awareness Week, found that most people consider themselves incapable of performing the simplest techniques for treating minor household injuries.
It underlines the role early years settings can play in helping parents acquire the skills to cope in an emergency.
The Heysham and Poulton Children's Centres in Lancashire have been running first aid courses for parents for a year. 'We arrange, host and pay for the course,' says Carolyn Murray, deputy manager of the two centres. 'We started off running first aid courses for local practitioners and the parents asked if they could join in. The parents courses are always over-subscribed. Most parents say it has helped their confidence to deal with everyday accidents with their children.'
The survey of nearly 2,000 people found that while most do not own a first aid manual, 70 per cent of people say they would feel confident in treating a number of conditions if they could refer to a manual and nearly 20 per cent think they might be able to resuscitate a casualty because they have seen it done a few times on television dramas.
For further information see the RoSPA website www.rospa.com/nhses
