Premier Denis Napthine recently announced that under a re-elected Coalition Government, there would be First aid training for Year 9 students will be introduced into all Victorian secondary schools at a cost of $20.9 million.
Dr Napthine said teaching students how to respond to medical emergencies will build confidence and resilience, as well as delivering significant public health benefits.
“The willingness of bystanders to help someone in need is a key factor in Victoria’s cardiac arrest survival rates being among the world’s best,” Dr Napthine said.
Dr Napthine explained that the program will be rolled out in stages. Selected schools will begin training Year 9 students during the 2015 school year, and the policy will be universally available during the 2016 school year and that approximately 66,000 Victorians receiving first aid training every year.
“Bystander CPR is a critical early step in the chain of survival, a multi-step process designed to save the lives of people suffering sudden cardiac arrest.” Not only is CPR a vital response for people suffering from heart attacks, it is also a critical treatment for people who have nearly drowned. In addition, the course will teach students the early management of burns, fractures, asthma and exposure to extreme temperatures.” Dr Napthine commented.
Napthine explained that this training will be delivered over one to two days, including assessment. Some schools may select one day courses which involve a homework component, while others may choose to have the course delivered entirely in class. The training will be provided by accredited training organisations. The Victorian Government will run a tender to appoint a panel of training providers. Individual schools will then be able to select their preferred provider from that panel.