Wider first aid knowledge could save thousands, says UK charity

London, Apr 12 (ANI): A British charity has said that a wider knowledge of first aid techniques could save thousands of lives each year.

According to the St John Ambulance charity, which is focusing a new campaign on five health emergencies which account for 150,000 deaths each year in England and Wales, including heart attacks, choking and severe bleeding, believes that if confident first aiders were present on more occasions, many lives would be saved.

The charity is offering a free pocket which it feels will boost the survival chances of many more patients.

This view is backed by the World Health Organisation, which also says "bystander first aid" can make a difference and should be encouraged, reports The BBC.

The charity's chief executive Sue Killen said: "We believe that anyone who needs first aid should receive it.

"Our latest research shows that's just not happening. We can't rely on other people to have the skills - everyone should take the responsibility to learn first aid themselves.

"Around 2,500 people die each year from a blocked airway, but if someone had known the recovery position, lives could have been saved."

Fotini Rozakeas, a cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "In life threatening situations it's vital that we all know what to do before professional help arrives as it's bystanders, often a relative, who are first on the scene.

"Every year around 140,000 people have a heart attack and around one in three die before reaching hospital.

"Calling 999 promptly and knowing what to do in those crucial minutes can make a big difference to a person's chance of survival."(ANI)