First aid: only one in 20
Our research shows there is confusion among young adults about what action to take when someone is unresponsive and not breathing.
- Eight in ten adults (85%) lack the knowledge and confidence to act if someone collapsed and was unresponsive and not breathing.
- We know that willingness to help amongst young adults is high, and 69 per cent of people aged 16–24 say they would be willing to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing.
- Yet just 16 per cent have the confidence and knowledge to help someone in this life-threatening situation.
Our research
Just one in 20 people would know what to do in a first aid emergency, British Red Cross research has found.
The new research, commissioned by the British Red Cross and conducted by Critical Research, found that:
- Most adults would not be able to save a life in a first aid emergency.
- Only five per cent of adults in the UK would feel confident, knowledgeable and willing to help someone who is bleeding heavily, is unresponsive and breathing, or is unresponsive and not breathing.
- That means that only one in 20 people could confidently help in all three of these emergency scenarios.
You can help change this
The good news is that together we can help change this. First aid is quick to learn and just a few simple actions in an emergency situation can save someone’s life. That’s why throughout 2018 we’re encouraging everyone to learn first aid.
Learn more about how to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing.
You can get involved by downloading our free first aid app or booking a first aid course.
You can also learn more about how to help someone who is unresponsive and breathing and someone who is bleeding heavily.
First aid is simple and easy to learn. Join us now and learn how to help save a life.