Should first aid be taught in schools?

Editor's note: The sudden death of Jin Bo, the deputy editor-in-chief of China's leading online forum Tianya, who had a heart attack at a Beijing subway station, has prompted calls for better knowledge of emergency first aid. So is it necessary to offer first aid training in schools? Forum readers share their opinions.

mbursian (US)

Basic emergency first-aid skills would be good knowledge... and stressing the importance of having a well equipped first-aid kit at home. First thing kids should know are the emergency response numbers for fire and accidents... and the importance of calmly making that call immediately, not to assume someone already has... and not to bother taking videos for social media. Having knowledge of emergency procedures is excellent, even though they might be physically unable to perform some, they certainly can instruct someone who is able... an adult or child choking, CPR for an adult or child, pressure points for severe cuts, how to make a tourniquet, dressing cuts, treating burns, etc. Other things that are helpful is assisting with crowd control so the emergency responders can do their job.

A nurse teaches cardiopulmonary resuscitation to students at No 2 Central Primary School in Tashan township, Ganyu county, Jiangsu province, in June. Si Wei / for China Daily