Welsh schools would be required to ensure that pupils get training
in life-saving skills under a new law proposed today (8 February)
by a Welsh Conservative Assembly Member.
, who represents South Wales
West, will be the first politician to use a new debating mechanism
– called Members’ Legislative Proposals (MLPs) - to bring forward
the Bill.
The Bill will seek to address the fact that in Wales nearly
8,000 people each year suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a
hospital setting. People who suffer cardiac arrest in Wales
only have a 3% chance of survival compared with 50% in other parts
of Europe, according to the charity Arrhythmia Alliance
(A-A).
By making it a legal requirement for children to be trained in
lifesaving skills such as CPR and the use of defibrillators,
believes that children and
young people could help save the lives of people who might
otherwise die - skills they can continue to use and develop into
adulthood.
Under the Bill, children will also be trained to treat bleeding,
choking and unconsciousness.
Ensuring that there are enough defibrillators in public spaces and
that people receive emergency life support refresher courses
throughout their lives are other facets that are central to the
Bill.
Across Wales there are 1939 defibrillators, according to Welsh
Ambulance Trust figures.
“Unfortunately, there are not enough people in Wales with the
skills or confidence to give victims the best chance of survival
during those first few critical minutes,” said .
“Growing demand for ambulance services means that responses to
emergency situations are often delayed. If we equip children
and young people with basic emergency life support (ELS) skills,
their on-the-spot treatment could make the difference between life
and death.
“In introducing this Bill, I hope to persuade fellow Assembly
Members that there is a real opportunity here to cultivate a new
generation of confident lifesavers across Wales who can help
support the work of the emergency services and save families from
the ultimate heartache.”
Keith Dunn OBE, Chief Executive, St John Cymru Wales said:
“St John Cymru Wales supports ’s proposal to increase the
provision of life saving skills and defibrillators in local
communities. First aid is a vital life skill, but unfortunately
too many people in Wales wouldn’t know what to do in an emergency
situation.
“With greater understanding and resources we can help ensure that
people have the right training, equipment and confidence to save
a life when it’s needed most.”
