This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-11266428
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| British Red Cross says teach children alcohol first aid | British Red Cross says teach children alcohol first aid |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Children should learn first aid skills to help friends who become dangerously drunk, the British Red Cross has said. | Children should learn first aid skills to help friends who become dangerously drunk, the British Red Cross has said. |
| Its survey of 2,500 11 to 16-year-olds found 10% had been left with a drunk friend who was sick, injured or unconscious and 14% said they had been in an alcohol-related emergency. | Its survey of 2,500 11 to 16-year-olds found 10% had been left with a drunk friend who was sick, injured or unconscious and 14% said they had been in an alcohol-related emergency. |
| The Red Cross wants to promote a broad range of first aid skills, but says the effects of alcohol are a key concern. | The Red Cross wants to promote a broad range of first aid skills, but says the effects of alcohol are a key concern. |
| The charity Drinkaware backed the call, but said parents needed to give advice. | The charity Drinkaware backed the call, but said parents needed to give advice. |
| Official figures show that there were more than 7,000 hospital admissions between 2006 and 2009 involving under-15s and alcohol. | Official figures show that there were more than 7,000 hospital admissions between 2006 and 2009 involving under-15s and alcohol. |
| Many youngsters told the survey that they drank - 23% of 11 to 16-year-olds said they have been drunk, while one in three 14 to 16-year-olds said they drank most weekends. | Many youngsters told the survey that they drank - 23% of 11 to 16-year-olds said they have been drunk, while one in three 14 to 16-year-olds said they drank most weekends. |
| Many of those who said they had witnessed an alcohol-related emergency said they had panicked, or did not know what to do. | Many of those who said they had witnessed an alcohol-related emergency said they had panicked, or did not know what to do. |
| Almost half said they were worried about their friend choking on vomit or simply not waking up. | Almost half said they were worried about their friend choking on vomit or simply not waking up. |
| Curriculum | Curriculum |
| Joe Mulligan, from the British Red Cross, said: "We need to ensure that every young person, irrespective of whether they have been drinking, has the ability and confidence to cope in a crisis." | Joe Mulligan, from the British Red Cross, said: "We need to ensure that every young person, irrespective of whether they have been drinking, has the ability and confidence to cope in a crisis." |
| The agency hopes new online training materials, including videos on YouTube, will reach children directly. | The agency hopes new online training materials, including videos on YouTube, will reach children directly. |
| Its campaign, called href="http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid/First-aid-campaigns/First-aid-in-schools-Life-Live-it" title="British Red Cross website" >Life - Live It, is also sending Red Cross trainers into schools and offering first aid packs to teachers. | |
| Children can learn skills including the recovery position, to avoid someone choking on their own vomit, and resuscitation techniques. | Children can learn skills including the recovery position, to avoid someone choking on their own vomit, and resuscitation techniques. |
| Chris Sorek, from charity Drinkaware, said the findings reinforced the need for children of all ages to be educated about alcohol misuse. | Chris Sorek, from charity Drinkaware, said the findings reinforced the need for children of all ages to be educated about alcohol misuse. |
| "It's not surprising that children under 16 don't know how to deal with alcohol emergencies. Ideally they should enjoy an alcohol-free childhood, so we wouldn't expect them to know what to do. | "It's not surprising that children under 16 don't know how to deal with alcohol emergencies. Ideally they should enjoy an alcohol-free childhood, so we wouldn't expect them to know what to do. |
| "But with the young people who drink alcohol drinking at very high levels, it's important they are equipped with the tips they need to keep themselves and their friends safe." | "But with the young people who drink alcohol drinking at very high levels, it's important they are equipped with the tips they need to keep themselves and their friends safe." |
| But he said that parents played a vital role in educating their children about the dangers of alcohol misuse. | But he said that parents played a vital role in educating their children about the dangers of alcohol misuse. |
| First aid has been part of the school curriculum for two years, but the survey also found that only 5% of those surveyed had received first aid training at school. | First aid has been part of the school curriculum for two years, but the survey also found that only 5% of those surveyed had received first aid training at school. |
| As well as dealing with alcohol-related problems, the campaign aims to help teach children how to help people with asthma attacks, head injuries, choking and epileptic seizures. | As well as dealing with alcohol-related problems, the campaign aims to help teach children how to help people with asthma attacks, head injuries, choking and epileptic seizures. |