First aid 'could save thousands' - St John Ambulance
A wider knowledge of simple first aid techniques could save thousands of lives each year, the St John Ambulance charity has said.
It is focusing a new campaign on five health emergencies which account for 150,000 deaths each year in England and Wales.
These include heart attacks, choking and severe bleeding.
The charity is offering a free pocket mask which it feels will boost the survival chances of many more patients.
It believes that if confident first aiders were present on more occasions, many lives would be saved.
This view is backed by the World Health Organisation, which also says "bystander first aid" can make a difference and should be encouraged.
The charity's own poll suggests that most people would still not feel confident attempting first aid techniques, while a quarter would do nothing and wait for other people or paramedics to arrive.
Its chief executive Sue Killen said: "We believe that anyone who needs first aid should receive it.
"Our latest research shows that's just not happening. We can't rely on other people to have the skills - everyone should take the responsibility to learn first aid themselves.
"Around 2,500 people die each year from a blocked airway, but if someone had known the recovery position, lives could have been saved."
