SCHOOLS on the Isle of Wight are being urged to take part in an exercise to teach youngsters vital life-saving skills.
On Friday, June 20, St John Ambulance will stream the Big First-Aid Lesson, a one-hour online first-aid session, directly into classrooms.
The interactive programme comes after research found 97 per cent of teachers in the area thought first-aid skills were essential learning for school children but only 22 per cent of schools offered training.
Regional schools and community training manager for St John Ambulance, Chris Cook said: "We believe first-aid should be as much a part of growing up as learning to cross the road. It’s so easy to learn and can have such an incredible impact on people’s lives.
"But because it’s not compulsory on the national curriculum, only a minority of schoolchildren would know what to do if one of their classmates, or a member of their family became ill or injured."
The lesson is designed for schoolchildren aged between seven and 16 and will combine learning first-aid with interviews and real-life stories.
Chris added: "'It only takes an hour to learn how to save a life but it could be the most important lesson students ever learn."
For more information visit www.sja.org.uk/bigfirstaidlesson.