Press Release

Knife crime: ignorance putting young lives at risk, says British Red Cross

25 July 2008

Knowledge of basic first aid is a vital element in the battle to address street violence, says the British Red Cross

The British Red Cross commissioned a survey by Carrick James into first aid knowledge amongst 11-14 year olds last year. When asked on how to tackle a knife wound, worryingly, 41% of young people would have removed the knife from the wound, increasing blood loss, and 6% would have pressed down on the knife to stop the bleeding. Less than half would have responded correctly by leaving the object in the wound and pressing down on the surrounding skin to stem the bleeding.

The British Red Cross already teaches first aid to over 125,000 people - including 22,000 school children - every year. Following their ‘Life. Live it’ campaign last year, first aid will be added to the school curriculum in England and Wales from this September.

As well as supporting first aid training in schools and workplaces, the British Red Cross is working with youth groups and Youth Offending Teams across the UK on programmes to reduce conflict and raise weapons awareness.

"First aid is a basic life skill that everyone should learn. Taking action in the immediate aftermath of a serious wounding could help keep someone alive until the emergency services arrive. In a stabbing it is especially important to call an ambulance as quickly as possible and to try to stop any visible bleeding ” said Professor Matthew Cooke, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Warwick Medical School.

“These skills are easily taught and do not take long to learn. Saving a life is the most wonderful gift we can offer anyone – family member, friend, neighbour or total stranger. We all need this vital skill” added Joe Mulligan, Head of First Aid for British Red Cross.

Red Cross first aid advice for dealing with serious bleeding and knife wounds

The Red Cross has put together the following advice for anyone who comes across the victim of a knife attack or similar situation. Always call 999, and check that you are not putting yourself, or the person you are trying to help, in danger, but with these simple steps you could help to keep someone alive until the emergency services arrive.

1. Make sure it is safe for you to approach
2. The main aim is to stop the bleeding. If possible, minimise contact with blood by using disposable gloves if you have them, or clean plastic bags.
3. If something is imbedded in the wound, such as a knife, do not remove it as it is stemming the blood flow. Don’t press on it, press firmly on either side of the object.
4. If there is nothing stuck in the wound, apply pressure directly to the wound, using clean material like a t-shirt or clean towels
5. Raise the wound above the level of the heart to help stop blood loss and continue to apply pressure

For more advice and to find out about first aid training, go to www.redcross.org.uk/firstaid
To see first aid clips online, or download first aid clips to your mobile phone, go to www.redcross.org.uk/lifeliveit