1. Resources needed
Lesson presentation.
Introduction: sticky notes to annotate whiteboard
Activity 1: Casualty cards (optional)
Activity 3: baby doll (optional)

2. a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid
Learning objectives
You will learn:
a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid
b. why your own safety must come first
c. to assess if a person is unconscious
d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position
e. what to say and do if you make an emergency call.
Using the presentation
This lesson is designed to allow for flexible planning for lessons between 30 and 90 minutes. Refer to the lesson plan to help select activities. For a 30 minute lesson, for example, follow:
the introduction
one 10 minute activity from ‘Activity one’
one 10 minute activity from ‘Activity two’
then finish with a five minute plenary.

3. a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid
Nicole’s story
“I helped a girl who was choking at the cinema. At the time, I had all sorts of worries… Was I doing more harm than good? What if I did something wrong?
In the end I decided that if her life was in danger, it was better to do something than do nothing… I’m glad I got involved now.”
to consider why it is important to learn first aid
Ask: “What is First aid? Why is it important to learn first aid”
Ask: “Who has ever made a cup of tea? What do you think that has to do with first aid?”
“Who has ever crossed a road? What has that got to do with first aid?”
Explain that unless you live in a bubble you will always come across situations where a knowledge of first aid is important. In pairs students should tell each other everything that they have done that day that could have caused an injury. Report back a few examples from each.
(5 minutes)

4. a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid
“I felt so proud when the girl’s Mum phoned to thank me. The doctor said if I hadn’t acted so quickly she would have been in a much worse state.
I don’t want to think about what would have happened if I hadn’t stepped up!”
to consider why it is important to learn first aid

5. a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid
You’re about to see some statements to do with first aid.
Do you strongly agree, strongly disagree, or are you somewhere in between?
For each statement, put your initials on the arrow…
STRONGLY
AGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
to consider why it is important to learn first aid
Students can take part in a “polar debate” about first aid. They write their initials on sticky note squares and place them on the scale in response to the statements shown onscreen. Ask a few individuals to explain why they chose their positions, and discuss the various points of view. Give people the opportunity to move if they have changed their minds.
(Alternative activity. Time needed: 5 minutes.)
B.D.
J.C.
L.L.
T.G.R.

6. If someone needs medical help, it’s better to wait for an ambulance.
a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid
If someone needs medical help, it’s better to wait for an ambulance.
STRONGLY
AGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
to consider why it is important to learn first aid
Ask: “Do you know how long it takes to die if you are not breathing?” (4 minutes)
“How long is it supposed to take for an ambulance to arrive?” (The target is 8 minutes. In rural areas it could take longer.)

7. If I needed first aid, I’d want someone to help me.
a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid
If I needed first aid, I’d want someone to help me.
STRONGLY
AGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
to consider why it is important to learn first aid

8. a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid
Is helping a stranger dangerous?
British Red Cross advisor: “It can be. Remember your personal safety is your priority. Call an adult, get help if you are not sure you can approach safely.”
Is first aid very complicated?
Firefighter: “No. Just opening an airway or putting someone on their side in the recovery position can make all the difference.”
Click for advice
to consider why it is important to learn first aid
Ask: “How would you answer this question? What advice would you give?” Students could offer responses to each of the questions posed on this slide and the next. Click on the red box to see advice from the experts.
Note - If you are using Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 or earlier, these animations may not function. Remove the boxes manually to reveal underlying text.
(Alternative activity. Time needed: 10 minutes)
Click for advice

9. a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid
How do I know I’ll ever need to use first aid?
British Red Cross adviser: “Every year 3 million people go to A&E for accidents and injuries that first aid treatment can benefit. If someone does need your help, it’s likely to be someone you know and love.”
Can you be sued for getting it wrong?
Lawyer: “as long as you do your best to help someone who needs it, you should have no need to be worried in this respect.”
Click for advice
to consider why it is important to learn first aid
Click on the red box to see advice from the experts.
Note - If you are using Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 or earlier, these animations may not function. Remove the boxes manually to reveal underlying text.
Click for advice

10. a. to consider why it is important to learn first aid
When some scaffolding collapsed, Sam saw it happen…
“A builder was lying still in the dust. His mate was stumbling around stunned. There was blood pouring from his arm.
A young woman had been passing. She had been hit by a piece of falling scaffolding. She was yelling that her arm was broken. Her baby was screaming in its push chair.”
a. why to consider why it is important to learn first aid
Encourage students to identify the most important person at the accident scene, giving reasons for their views. The class could vote on a final answer and check it with the next slide. The worksheet: Casualty cards could help with this activity.
(Time needed: 5 minutes)
Who was the most important person there?
answer on next slide…

11. If there’s danger, keep well back. Call 999 at once.
b. why your own safety must come first
Sam was the most important person there. All the casualties (injured people) were depending on him. He had to put his own safety first…
b. why your own safety must come first
If there’s danger, keep well back. Call 999 at once.

12. b. why your own safety must come first
Sam was the most important person there. All the casualties (injured people) were depending on him. He had to put his own safety first…
You must stay calm… And check for danger!
b. why your own safety must come first
Ask: “Why was Sam the most important person at the scene? What could he do to help?” Encourage students to list all the things he could do, e.g. contact emergency services; warn others of danger; make the area safer; find other people who can help too; work out who needs help the most; give first aid treatment.
(Alternative activity. Time needed: 5 minutes.)
Ask: “Why would it be a mistake to rush in without checking for danger? What could happen to Sam?” Students could list possible hazards, e.g. broken glass, falling slates, etc. Ask: “If Sam was hurt, what would that mean for the other injured people?” Collect students’ responses. Stress that if you get injured you won’t be able to get help at all and will increase the problem.
Sam had to put his own safety first…

13. Use the whiteboard pen to circle all the dangers you can spot!
b. why your own safety must come first
Use the whiteboard pen to circle all the dangers you can spot!
water around
cable – danger of
electrocution
steam –
scalding
danger
wet floor –
slipping
danger
b. why your own safety must come first
Encourage students to use the whiteboard marker tool (available via the icon at the bottom left of the screen) to circle any hazards they can see in the accident scene. When the red button is clicked, students can compare their ideas with the answers given. Ask: “How could you make this accident scene safer?”
(Alternative activity. Time needed: 5 minutes)
sharp bits
of broken
china
click for answer

14. c. to assess if a person is unconscious
Simon’s story
“I was at a gig when this bloke in front just keeled over.
I felt I should get involved… but I didn’t have a clue what to do.
Lucky for him, there was a girl in the crowd who knew exactly how to help.
I remember thinking, I wish I knew about stuff like that...”
c. to assess if a person is unconscious

15. c. to assess if a person is unconscious
You spot someone lying on the pavement in the street on your way home from the shops. What questions would you ask yourself?
> write a list
> put your actions in order of importance
> check your list with the one
on the next slide.
c. to assess if a person is unconscious
Students could work in pairs to generate a list of questions they might ask themselves on discovering an unconscious person. Prompt them to think about both whether they should act and how they would tell what was wrong with the person. Ask students to prioritise their lists, putting the questions in order of importance. They can check their ideas with those shown on the next slide.
(Alternative activity. Time needed: 10 minutes)

16. Remember: R is for Response
c. to assess if a person is unconscious
What questions would you ask yourself?
> Is it safe for me to approach the person?
– Is the person just asleep or drunk or fallen over?
– Why has no one else stopped?
> Are they conscious?
– Can they hear my voice when I ask if they’re ok?
– Do they respond when I gently shake their shoulders?
> If not, assume they’re unconscious.
Remember:
D is for Danger
c. to assess if a person is unconscious
Ask:
“What does unconscious mean?”
“Why do you think you should make your own safety the first priority?” (If you put yourself in danger there may soon be two casualties rather than one. If you are injured, you won’t be able to help the person who has collapsed.)
“What kind of response could you look for? (A reply, mumbling, opening eyes or moving.)
R is for Response

17. c. to assess if a person is unconscious
If the person doesn’t respond, shout for help.
Then open his or her airway so you can check if they are breathing…
Place your hand on the casualty’s forehead and gently tilt the head backwards.
Place two fingers on the tip of the casualty’s chin and lift the chin.
c. to assess if a person is unconscious
Ask: “Why do you think tilting someone’s head back and lifting their chin is important?” Collect students’ responses.
A is for Airway

18. d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position
When someone’s unconscious, the tongue goes floppy and can fall to the back of the throat. This may prevent air getting through.
d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position

19. d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position
But when the head is tipped back, the tongue is pulled forward, allowing air through.
d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position
Note - If you are using Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 or earlier, this animation may not function. Remove the top picture to see the underlying image.
Simply opening the airway like this can save a life because it allows them to breathe.

20. d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position
How to check if someone’s breathing.
What three senses could you use? Click to see. 1 3
Look along the body to see if the chest is moving up and down.
Listen for breathing. Put your ear close to unconscious person’s mouth and nose. 2
Feel for breath on your cheek.
d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position
Explain that if the casualty is taking strange, infrequent gasps of air it is a sign of trouble and as bad as not breathing.
Ask: “What might happen if a person stays on their back?”
Check for ten seconds
B is for Breathing

21. d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position
This video clip shows you how to put someone in the recovery position.
Watch the
clip twice.
Now it’s your turn to try…
d. when and how to put someone in the recovery position
Students view the video clip. They then work in groups of three to practise the procedure. One student takes the part of the unconscious person, the second plays a first aider and the third gives instructions on what to do next. (A video clip showing how to manage this classroom technique is available in the teachers’ area of the disc.)
If there is not enough space for the whole class to do this, ask two students to demonstrate while the rest of the class takes it in turns to give instructions. The recovery position poster in the Lesson resources can help with this activity.
(Alternative activity. Time needed: 25 minutes)

22. e. what to say and do if you make an emergency call
Hello?
Which service do you require?
Ambulance
Connecting you now…
e. what to say and do if you make an emergency call
Ask: “Has anyone here ever had to make a 999 call?” Give students an opportunity to discuss experiences and expectations. Then ask: “If you had to call 999 for an ambulance, what do you think the person at the end of the line would need to know?” Students could work in pairs to make a list of all the things they think they would be asked.
Explain to the class that 999 calls are free and work even if your mobile phone is out of credit.
What will Sam be asked next?
answer on next slide…

23. > what number are you calling from?
e. what to say and do if you make an emergency call
> what’s your name?
> what number are you calling from?
> where are you? (Not sure? Describe landmarks.)
> what has happened?
> how many people have been hurt?
> is anyone unconscious?
> has anyone stopped breathing?
> is anyone bleeding – if so, how badly?
> are there any other hazards or dangers around?
e. what to say and do if you make an emergency call
Role-play. Using the list of questions onscreen as a prompt, students work in pairs to play the roles of caller and the ambulance control operator. The caller should supply as much information as possible. Allow time for different pairs of students to share their role-plays with the group.
(Alternative activity. Time needed: 10 minutes)

24. > try to get a response > open airway > check for breathing
Plenary
The main points again…
> check for danger
> try to get a response
> open airway
> check for breathing
> if the casualty is breathing normally, put them in the recovery position
> call 999 for ambulance.
Plenary

25. Interactive quiz Find out more
You’ve completed this lesson on the recovery position.
Test your knowledge in our interactive quiz, or find out more with one of these activities…
Interactive quiz
Please note: the quiz can only be accessed through the Life. Live it. first aid education CD ROM
Figure drawing
Put a friend in the recovery position. Sketch your friend.
“I was at a gig when this bloke in front just keeled over…”
What happened next? Finish the story.
Interactive quiz will take around 5 minutes to complete. For questions on Making first aid relevant (learning objective a) go to the “Shopping stalls” area. For questions on Dealing with accidents (learning objective b) go to the “Bungee” area. For questions on the Recovery position (learning objectives c-e) go to the “Small Stage” area.
Differentiated homework tasks:
Less able: sketch the recovery position
More able: complete the story from the opening given.