HARLOW youngsters could soon learn how to save lives through an innovative first aid scheme developed by St John Ambulance.

The Young Lifesaver programme includes a video and teachers pack so youth leaders or school staff can teach their pupils a variety of first aid techniques.

Designed to appeal specifically to young people, the entertaining video shows youngsters that grasping the elements of first aid can save lives. The teachers pack contains information on choking, burns, scalds, poisoning, mouth-to-mouth and

cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

St John Ambulance developed the scheme after discovering that 93 per cent of 11 to 16-year-olds in the Anglia region thought first aid should be taught in school and 94 per cent said they would like to learn how to save lives.

St John Ambulance's training officer Sue Warner said: Young people should receive some basic first aid training before they leave school.

We want to train even more young people in vital life saving skills, she said.

The headteacher of Passmores Schools, Harlow, Peter Jarman, said: I think its a brilliant idea.

You hear of so many accidents where someone with first aid is needed. I would like to do a first aid course myself.

Mr Jarman said his school had run first aid classes in the past which had proved popular. He welcomed the training pack which he said would mean staff and pupils could train together at school, rather than having to take first aid qualifications elsewhere.

Schools and youth groups interested in ordering Young Lifesaver course material should contact St John Supplies on 0171 278 7888. The video costs £25, teachers' packs are £7.50, and certificates are £5 for 20.

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