Mini Medics

This term Penrice Academy’s Year 7 Student Council and Young Carers kicked off 2018 learning the most valuable skill of all – how to save a life.

With the Mini Medics programme, presented by Penrice Academy First Aider and Care Plan Coordinator Mrs McGrath, the students learnt all the basics of First Aid, from the recovery position to how to use a defibrillator.

Mrs McGrath explains: “Mini Medics offers our Year 7s the opportunity to learn how to save someone’s life. In the sessions we covered choking, CPR, how to recognise asthma, how to put someone in the recovery position, using a defibrillator, what’s found in a First Aid Kit and how to treat shock and wounds.”

Aimed at younger students, the programme uses language and terminology that is easily understood and remembered, focusing on DR ABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, CPR.

Mrs McGrath has a wide experience in Field Medicine. A Medic in the RAF for 13 Years, she has been based all over the world, responded to aircraft crashes, received commendations and featured on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

She said: “For me the best thing about First Aid is it doesn’t have to be daunting; it’s not all about blood and bandages. Saving a life could be as simple as helping someone who is choking on a sandwich or putting your friend in the recovery position if they’re hit on the head. It could be as simple as calling the ambulance service – that could save a life, if you’re first on the scene.”

Jessica, Academy Council Rep for Year 7, took part in the second session.

She said: “For Mini Medics we were shown how to help a casualty, with the help of a mannequin, training vests, defibs and exercise books. I really enjoyed the day and feel like I learned loads – I feel happily trained and ready to help save a life!”

Mrs McGrath said: “The more people who know First Aid the better. It is vital people know what to do until help arrives – and now some of our Year 7s do. They really enjoyed it, they threw themselves into the challenge of learning and they were a real credit to their school.”

Mrs McGrath hopes to present the course to all our Year 7s this year.

See more pictures from our first Mini Medics sessions here.