Students learn how to Save Lives – Mini Medics 2020

This term Penrice Academy’s Year 7 kicked off 2020 learning with how to save a life.

With the Mini Medics programme, presented by Penrice Academy First Aid Instructor 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 cover choking, CPR, how to recognize asthma, how to put someone into 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: “First Aid 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 into the recovery position. It could be as simple as calling the ambulance service – that could save a life, if you’re first on the scene.  The more people who know first aid the better. It is vital people know what to do until help arrives – and now Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 do. They really enjoyed it, they threw themselves into the challenge of learning and they were a real credit to Penrice Academy.”