Emergency life support – Q&As

This article supports ‘The difference between a life lost and a life saved’, published in RCN Bulletin on 18 May 2011

The RCN has joined a coalition of organisations – including the Resuscitation Council and the British Heart Foundation – to call for emergency life support (ELS) skills to be taught to school children.
Here is a Q&A about the campaign.

What is ELS?

ELS is the set of actions needed to keep someone alive until professional help arrives.
It includes performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), dealing with choking, serious bleeding and helping someone who may be suffering a heart attack.

Who is taking part?

The coalition’s work is led by the Resuscitation Council and the British Heart Foundation. Other supporters include the British Medical Association, the College of Emergency Medicine and the Royal College of Physicians.

What does it mean for different parts of the country?

England

The Resuscitation Council is calling for ELS, including vital CPR, to be a mandatory part of the National Curriculum in England. Secondary school pupils should be taught it from year seven, and their skills should be refreshed every year until they leave school.

Scotland

ELS should be taught in every school in Scotland, as part of the Curriculum for Excellence.

Wales

ELS taught in every school in Wales as part of the National Curriculum

Northern Ireland

There should be further investment aimed at raising awareness of, and access to, ELS skills in schools, workplaces and communities.

Why did the RCN get involved?

The RCN’s involvement follows a resolution at Congress 2010 in Bournemouth. It called on governments across the UK to mandate the teaching of first aid to school children. Read a report or watch the debate on the Congress webpages.