Build Scotland an army of lifesavers

When seconds and minutes really count, first aid training saves lives.

That is why The Courier is today launching our First Aid Kids campaign in order to create an army of lifesavers and improve health outcomes in Scotland in the long term.

Our campaign calls on the Scottish Government to introduce mandatory first aid training for all ages in Scottish primary and secondary schools, mirroring provisions being introduced in English state schools.

Today we tell how toddler Freya Fernie owes her life to a Good Samaritan who brought his first aid skills to bear when she choked on a strawberry during a day out.

The First Aid Kids campaign will give our young people the confidence and skills to act in a similar situation. Ultimately, that could be the difference between life and death.

Through education, we can make Scotland a better, safer society for everyone.

We want to end the training lottery that exists in Scotland and ensure all of our young people have the tools they need to save a life.

We urge First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her Scottish Government to be bold. Now is the time to back The Courier’s First Aid Kids campaign and empower a new army of Scottish lifesavers.

We have a simple but powerful message at

St Andrew’s First Aid.

We firmly believe that nobody should suffer or die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it.

However, creating a nation of confident lifesavers has its challenges.

That is why we have made it our ambition to implement first aid confidence at a grass root level and reach as many young people across Scotland as we can, by campaigning to have first aid training introduced as part of the primary school timetable.

Equipping children – even those as young as five – with first aid skills that will enable them to help save lives ultimately supports them to become responsible citizens and effective contributors to society.

Providing these skills in a safe environment and targeting young people who might not otherwise have access to first aid training can make a huge difference to local communities as well as to the individuals themselves.

Several European governments, notably Italy and Germany, mandate at least two hours of first aid training per pupil per year.

This year will see the start of a roll out of basic first aid and CPR training to all secondary schools in England following the passing of new legislation in 2019.

Scotland must not be left behind. Research clearly shows that first aid training for school pupils establishes a sense of responsibility at an early stage and provides more than just a skill for life.

Having the confidence to intervene in an emergency situation provides broad reaching social skills and leadership qualities that are otherwise hard to match.

Our goal is to provide all state primary schools in Scotland with the opportunity to learn basic first aid and to equip teachers with the necessary materials and support to deliver impactful, valuable and long-term skills to pupils, in a fun and engaging way.

The advantages of instilling our future generations with a sense of responsibility and confidence to intervene in an emergency situation are vast and we should not underestimate the contribution that each and every individual can make in helping to save a life.

We very much welcome The Courier’s campaign. Its ambitions will support our own efforts to engage with schools, local councillors, government bodies and MSPs to bring first aid into the hearts and minds of those with the power and opportunity to help transform Scotland into a nation of lifesavers.

Children at Dunbog Primary school are backing our campaign.