We read with interest the recent article by Mehreen, et al. [1] on the effectiveness of an educational school-based intervention on injury prevention and first aid. The educational intervention significantly increased the knowledge on the prevention of unintentional injuries and first aid among students (mean age 15.9 years) [1]. In order for first-aid to be effective, continuous training, practice and several trainees are required. Research has demonstrated the ability of children to provide first aid after receiving appropriate education [2]. Specialists or certified teachers are capable of teaching first aid and many countries have introduced first aid training programs in schools [3]. However, most programs including the present study, focus mainly on children aged 10-18 year, while younger ages receive much less attention [4]. We systematically reviewed the literature and found only three studies of first aid programs being delivered to children at preschool. Results showed that the interventions improved preschool students’ knowledge and skills of first aid.

It is important to educate children from an early age. Early age training cultivates skills that are retained for almost a lifetime and can be easily retrieved from memory. Furthermore, young children function as multipliers because their knowledge is disseminated in the family and in their friend-circle. Finally, it cultivates social responsibility to the trainees, which is necessary for the progress of the society. We strongly believe that first aid training shall be included as part of basic education as a compulsory module, that can be taught by trained school teachers.

1. Mehreen S, Mathur A, Jat J, Pathak A. Effectiveness of an educational school-based intervention on knowledge of unintentional injury prevention and first aid among students in Ujjain, India. Indian Pediatr. 2021;58:532-36.

2. Semeraro F, Wingen S, Schroeder DC, et al. Kids Save Lives—Three years of implementation in Europe. Resuscitation. 2018;131;e9-e11.

3. Lukas RP, Van Aken H, Mölhoff T, et al. Kids save lives: A six-year longitudinal study of schoolchildren learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Who should do the teaching and will the effects last? Resuscitation. 2016;101:35-40.

4. Böttiger BW, Semeraro F, Altemeyer KH, et al. Kids Save Lives: School children education in resuscitation for Europe and the world. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2017;34:792-96.