Latest news with #StAndrew'sFirstAid
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
People in south of Scotland concerned about putting first aid training to use
St Andrew's First Aid has found nearly one-third of people are concerned about the potential legal consequences of trying to help. More people in the south of Scotland are trained in first aid than anywhere else in the country. But the region is also the most concerned about putting their vital life saving skills into practice. A survey for St Andrew's First Aid – Scotland's only dedicated first aid charity – revealed nearly three-quarters of people in the south of Scotland have received first aid training, 10 per cent above the Scottish average. And more than half say they would use their training if needed – but 30 per cent say potential legal consequences are a potential barrier. The findings from the YouGov survey showed that doing it wrong and making the situation worse are other big fears. Around seven per cent of Scots have found themselves in situations where they could have put their first aid training into practice but chose not to, meaning potentially every year 224 people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest don't survive. St Andrew's First Aid has now launched a new campaign called Taking the Fear out of First Aid in a bid to help people overcome their fears. Chief executive at St Andrew's First Aid, Stuart Callison, said: 'This research highlights not only the importance of being first aid trained, but also how critical it is for it to be put into practice when needed. 'While the research gives us some reassurance by highlighting those in the south of Scotland are leading the way in first aid training, it's worrying to see how many are concerned about the possible legal implications. The heartbreaking reality is that more lives could be saved through bystander intervention. 'That's why we're launching our campaign to dispel some of the most common myths around first aid, to overcome these fears and help save more lives. As well as providing first aid training to as many people as possible, we want to be sure that those who have been trained keep their skills up to date and have the confidence to step up when needed. 'Doing something is always better than doing nothing and allowing our fears to stand in the way of taking action can be the difference between life and death for a casualty.
The Herald Scotland
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
First aid fears could result in extra 200 deaths per year
The first aid charity said around 3,200 people in Scotland experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) every year, with a survival rate of less than one in 10. Its analysis suggests that the 7% who choose not to step in to help could equate to 224 lives potentially being lost. The research, which involved more than 1,000 people, found that 61% said the fear of doing something wrong was their main concern, while 58% were worried about potentially making things worse. The charity has now launched a new national campaign – 'Taking the fear out of first aid' – to help people overcome their concerns about coming forward to help. Stuart Callison, chief executive at St Andrew's First Aid, said: 'This research highlights not only the importance of being first aid-trained, but also how critical it is for it to be put into practice when needed. Read More 'While the research gives us some reassurance by highlighting that nine out of 10 Scots recognise the importance of having some form of first aid training, it's worrying to see how many people are anxious about providing help in an emergency for fear of doing something wrong. 'The heartbreaking reality is that more lives could have been saved through bystander intervention. 'That's why we're launching our campaign today to dispel some of the most common myths around first aid, to overcome these fears and help save more lives. 'As well as providing first aid training to as many Scots as possible, we want to be sure that those who have been trained keep their skills up to date and have the confidence to step up when needed. 'Doing something is always better than doing nothing, and allowing our fears to stand in the way of taking action can be the difference between life and death for a casualty.' The survey of 1,007 adults found that (91%) of those questioned said they recognise the importance of having some form of first aid training. However just under one one in four people (38%) who said they would step in to help stated they would only do so after some hesitation. Around the country, those living in Edinburgh and the Lothians were least likely to help, with just over one in 10 (11%) saying they would not step in during first aid emergency situations. People in Glasgow were most likely to receive first aid from bystanders, with 16% of those polled saying they would confidently step in. At a launch event for the campaign on Monday in Buchanan Street, Glasgow, passers-by were challenged by content creator Mark Thorburn to reach their hand into a 'mystery box' in a stunt which aimed to highlight that providing first aid is not as alarming as people might think. While some people refused to put their hand in the box others did so and were relieved to find that the box was empty. – The YouGov survey, commissioned by St Andrew's First Aid, was carried out between May 1 and 5.
STV News
20-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
First aid fears could stop 200 lives being saved each year, charity warns
More than 200 people could be dying each year because bystanders are reluctant to step in and help during a first aid emergency, analysis by a charity suggests. Research for St Andrew's First Aid revealed that 7% of Scottish adults had found themselves in situations where they could have stepped in to provide first aid, but chose not to. The first aid charity said around 3,200 people in Scotland experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) every year, with a survival rate of less than one in 10. Its analysis suggests that the 7% who choose not to step in to help could equate to 224 lives potentially being lost. The research, which involved more than 1,000 people, found that 61% said the fear of doing something wrong was their main concern, while 58% were worried about potentially making things worse. The charity has now launched a new national campaign – 'Taking the fear out of first aid' – to help people overcome their concerns about coming forward to help. Stuart Callison, chief executive at St Andrew's First Aid, said: 'This research highlights not only the importance of being first aid-trained, but also how critical it is for it to be put into practice when needed. 'While the research gives us some reassurance by highlighting that nine out of 10 Scots recognise the importance of having some form of first aid training, it's worrying to see how many people are anxious about providing help in an emergency for fear of doing something wrong. 'The heartbreaking reality is that more lives could have been saved through bystander intervention. 'That's why we're launching our campaign today to dispel some of the most common myths around first aid, to overcome these fears and help save more lives. 'As well as providing first aid training to as many Scots as possible, we want to be sure that those who have been trained keep their skills up to date and have the confidence to step up when needed. 'Doing something is always better than doing nothing, and allowing our fears to stand in the way of taking action can be the difference between life and death for a casualty.' The survey of 1,007 adults found that (91%) of those questioned said they recognise the importance of having some form of first aid training. However just under one one in four people (38%) who said they would step in to help stated they would only do so after some hesitation. Around the country, those living in Edinburgh and the Lothians were least likely to help, with just over one in 10 (11%) saying they would not step in during first aid emergency situations. People in Glasgow were most likely to receive first aid from bystanders, with 16% of those polled saying they would confidently step in. – The YouGov survey, commissioned by St Andrew's First Aid, was carried out between May 1 and 5. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
