After a spate of stabbings and shootings of teenagers in the capital, two women from the borough hope to teach school children the fundamental first aid techniques needed to deal with street attacks.

The organisation Safe and Sound was set up in 2000 by ex-teacher Tina Lazarus and journalist Roma Felstein with the initial aim of providing classes to parents and child carers.

But now they are branching out to offer practical skills training to teenage groups who may be directly confronted with a victim of gun or knife crime.

“Teaching them first aid empowers young people,” said Mrs Felstein, who helps run the organisation, based in Ballards Lane, Finchley.

“I don’t think for one minute it will stop knife crime, but it gives them the knowledge to know what to do if someone is injured and they won’t do the wrong thing to make the situation worse.

“All teenagers should have basic resuscitation skills. We hope to give all children the tools to know what to do in an emergency and the confidence to do it correctly.”

A survey released by the British Red Cross last month gave their work a fresh impetus, showing that many young people are unaware of key life saving techniques.

When asked how to deal with a knife wound, 41 per cent of the 11 to 14-year-olds questioned would have removed the knife from the wound, which is wrong as it can lead to an increased loss of blood.

Six per cent would incorrectly have pressed down on the knife in an effort to stem the bleeding.

Less than half of respondents would have responded in the correct manner by leaving the weapon in the wound and pressing down on the surrounding skin to reduce bleeding.

Joe Mulligan, head of first aid at the Red Cross, said: “These skills are easily taught and do not take long to learn. Saving a life is the most wonderful gift we can offer anyone. We all need this vital skill.”

Safe and Sound sends 12 paramedics into schools, youth clubs and social groups to demonstrate and teach these vital techniques.

“We want to push the message out across all schools so that teenagers throughout London can deal with an emergency situation,” added Mrs Felstein.

“Using professional paramedics who are performing these skills every day gives the classes an edge as they can give real life examples of how first aid is needed.”

The group is now looking for funding so it can reach more areas and start a campaign outlining the importance of knowing first aid.

And the campaign could hardly come too soon, with the number of teenagers killed by violent crime in London reaching 22 last week.

“Children aren’t playing in the street like they used to, so they aren’t as streetwise as they used to be without the parents around,” added Mrs Felstein.

“They don’t know what to look for or what to do to keep others safe.

“In an age where it seems if you don’t get the grades you don’t count, these are the sorts of skills that don’t require a written exam but can give them vital life experiences.”

m To find out about the classes, or to have a course from home, call 020 8445 8998 or email info@safeand sound.uk.net