59% want workplace first aid training

Research carried out by St John Ambulance has discovered two thirds of us wouldn't have the confidence to adminster potentially life-saving first aid.

The study of 2045 adults was conducted by ICM, and uncovered several worrying statistics including that 24% would do nothing at all. Some 39% would attempt first aid, despite not being sure of the correct procedure.

Just over a quarter (28%) say they’d know what first aid to do – but sadly their confidence is misplaced, as the survey results show many would do the wrong thing and may even make the situation worse.

More than half - 59% - of people think first aid should be taught in the workplace. In a separate survey conducted late last year, the charity also found that 79% of  businesses could report periods of time where they had no first aid trained workers present. If more people were trained in first aid these incidents would be less frequent. The implications of workplace injury can be huge, in terms of business performance and also financially when you consider replacement cover and possible fines.