After a new study, commissioned by the British Red Cross found that up to 59% of deaths from injury may have been prevented if first aid was given before the emergency medical services arrived, Caroline Spelman MP lent her support to a campaign to champion First Aid in Meriden Constituency.
The British Red Cross’ #DontStopAt999 campaign aims to raise awareness through social media of how simple first aid could help to reduce the number of people who die from injury before reaching hospital.
At the event, representatives from the Red Cross explained that there is a window of opportunity between dialling 999 and the arrival of the emergency medical services where two simple first aid actions could save someone’s life. They are:
- Turning an unresponsive person who is breathing on their side and tilting their head back to open their airway
- Applying pressure to a heavy bleed to help stem the flow of blood.
Caroline Spelman said: ‘I am proud to be able to champion First Aid in Meriden Constituency and urge local residents to familiarise themselves with the advice on the Red Cross Website. I have also written to local schools to encourage them to consider inviting representatives from organisations like the Red Cross into their school to teach pupils about First Aid’.
For more information on this campaign, please visit the Red Cross Website.