DAMMAM: There should be more workers and students trained in first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a person has a heart attack, say teachers and employees.

Manal Ahmed, a teacher, said: “No one on our school staff has a certificate in first aid and the education department has never organized such training courses, although schools really need to provide first aid training for all teachers.”

Yasser Al-Ahamdi, a worker at a local firm, urged the authorities to compel public and private sector employees to attend first aid training courses. There should also be some basic training included in the curricula of schools and universities, he said.

Abdulaziz Al-Thagafi, spokesman of Makkah’s education department, said that there is training provided at schools in collaboration with King Abdullah Medical City, Saudi Red Crescent and hospitals.

“So far, about 50 percent of health counselors have completed their training courses in first aid and CPR, in addition to implementing field programs for students at schools.”

Al-Thagafi said the courses include treatment in emergencies, for chronic conditions, fainting, shock, cuts, bruises, bleeding, burns, dislocated joints, cases of poisoning and bites of scorpions and snakes. There are also health education programs held at schools.