THE British Red Cross commissioned a survey into first aid knowledge among 11 to 14-year-olds last year.
When asked on how to tackle a knife wound, worryingly, 41% of young people would have removed the knife from the wound, increasing blood loss, and 6% would have pressed down on the knife to stop the bleeding. Less than half would have responded correctly by leaving the object in the wound and pressing down on the surrounding skin to stem the bleeding.
The Red Cross already teaches first aid to more than 125,000 people – including 22,000 schoolchildren – every year. Following its ‘Life. Live it’ campaign last year, first aid will be added to the school curriculum in England and Wales this September.
It is also working with youth groups and Youth Offending Teams across the UK on programmes to reduce conflict and raise weapons awareness.
The Red Cross has put together the following advice for anyone who comes across the victim of a knife attack or similar situation:
1. Make sure it is safe to approach.
2. The main aim is to stop bleeding. If possible, minimise contact with blood by using disposable gloves, if you have them, or clean plastic bags.
3. If something is imbedded in the wound, such as a knife, do not remove it as it is stemming the blood flow. Don’t press on it, press firmly on either side of the object.
4. If there is nothing stuck in the wound, apply pressure directly to the wound, using clean material like a T-shirt or clean towels.
5. Raise the wound above the level of the heart to help stop blood loss and continue to apply pressure.
British Red Cross