On World Youth Skills Day we wanted to highlight an essential life skill for teens: CPR training. Each year, around 270 children in schools lose their life to a sudden cardiac arrest. This tragic statistic is one of the reasons why communities must prepare their children to become confident to learn how to perform CPR in an emergency.Â
Every year in the UK, around 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur with survival chances doubling or even tripling when CPR or a public-access AED is used immediately. Yet, most people are unsure, uninformed, or inadequately trained to act promptly during a cardiac emergency. By highlighting the importance of CPR training for youth, we aim to empower young generations to act confidently in emergencies and save more lives.
Why CPR Training for Youth Matters
Nearly 43% of adults in the UK have never learned CPR . Gen Z leads in CPR training, with 67% already trained compared to older generations. This showcases that young generations are ready to take lifesaving action and learn CPR.
By providing CPR training for youth, we are not only closing this gap but producing a generation that is ready to respond in those lifesaving moments.
Building Confidence and Life-Saving Skills Early
Approximately 4 out of 10 students say they haven’t received CPR training at school. Learning CPR at school or in youth organisations can have a huge impact. It helps young people:
- Recognise cardiac arrest signs quickly
- Stay calm under pressure
- Deliver effective chest compressions
- Overcome fears and understand how to confidently use a public defibrillator (AED)Â
When given proper training, students can feel confident to take action in an urgent situation. Research shows that in students trained in CPR, over 70% feel confident enough to help in an emergency.
It is also important for them to build awareness on public access AEDs. Although there is an estimate of 100,000 public-access defibrillators across the UK, only 38 percent of the population is aware of their nearest public access AED is.
It is possible to strengthen the chain of survival by helping build awareness and providing CPR training for youth.
First Aid for Babysitters in the UK
Babysitters often face emergencies on their own. Brayden Baby CPR Manikin offers lifelike infant resuscitation practice, ensuring they can respond confidently and correctly. A teen trained on such a manikin can provide immediate emergency response which is critical in situations like choking or infant cardiac arrest when every second counts.
Peer CPR Training in the UK
Implementing the Brayden Junior CPR Manikin in peer education enables students to build important skills. Practicing with realistic manikins and public-access AEDs gives them confidence to provide CPR and use a defibrillator during an emergency.
The Brayden Junior CPR Manikin has been specifically designed for paediatric CPR training. It is:Â
- Anatomically correct for a 10 – 12 year old
- Cost-effective and portable CPR training solution
- Fully Guidelines compliantÂ
- Realistic CPR Training for youth and perfect for teaching CPR in schools
Real-Life Impact: Using A Public-Access AED
Neil Davidson suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in 2017. His son, trained in CPR, saved him with timely compressions . Neil now champions basic life support and community preparedness.
Tom Fane collapsed at home; his 18-year-old son ran for a public-access AED, delivered shocks, and performed CPR. Tom made a near full recovery.
These stories highlight how training youth in CPR and using a public-access AED can directly help loved ones in crisis.
How Schools and Organisations Can Support Youth CPR Training
91% of parents believe the government should do more to support teaching CPR in schools, CPR is the perfect skill to implement for students. Adding CPR training into school programs can be simple.
Teachers can make this life-saving skill fun and accessible with easy-to-use AED trainers, CPR manikins, and training sessions. Studies revealed that school children are driven and ready to engage in basic life support skills, enhancing CPR training skills for emergencies.
Some of the reasonable measures that schools and communities can undertake to teach CPR in schools:
- Work with local health providers or emergency servicesÂ
- Host annual CPR training days
- Include awareness for public-access AEDs in health education classes
With all state-funded schools in England having access to a life-saving public defibrillator, teaching CPR in schools to students will help them to act swiftly and correctly in an emergency.
A Lifelong Skill to Master This Youth Skills Day
When young people learn CPR, they carry that knowledge for life. Not only does it build confidence and responsibility, but it also reinforces the value of community care and quick action in emergencies to locate a public-access AED or perform immediate CPR. This World Youth Skills Day, let’s commit to making CPR training for youth a priority.Â
This World Youth Skills Day, being prepared with tools like Brayden manikins and real-world CPR training, young people can become lifesavers. Let’s nurture their potential and ensure every community has prepared youth ready to act when it matters most.
Ready to Strengthen the Chain of Survival?
If you’re looking for support in enhancing your organisation’s training or resources, WEL Medical can help. We provide a range of lifesaving equipment, from CPR training manikins to defibrillators. With flexible finance options available, we aim to keep our solutions as accessible as possible.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to find out more about how you can make a difference in your community.
