500,000 teens have to deal with drunk friends

More than 532,000 young teenagers have had to cope with a drunken friend who was sick, injured or unconscious over the past year, shocking new statistics have revealed.

A survey conducted by the British Red Cross showed that one in seven 11-16 year-olds had been in an emergency situation as a result of a friend drinking too much alcohol.

It highlighted the statistics as it launched a new campaign —called "The Life, Live it." — aimed at encouraging 11-16 year-olds to learn life-saving skills so that they are better able to cope in an emergency.

But it is not just alcohol-related situations young people have found themselves dealing with. A total of 89% had found themselves dealing with some form of emergency with a quarter dealing with asthma attacks, a third dealing with head injuries and one in five with someone choking.

When dealing with an emergency situation 44% panicked and 46% did not know what to do.

Over the next 15 months, the Red Cross will produce a national programme of activities designed to teach first aid to young people and inspire them to act in a crisis. They will focus on four key areas relevant to young people's lives - music, sport, dance and fashion.

"Four out of five young people say that they would feel safer if they had some first aid knowledge," said Joe Mulligan, first aid expert at the British Red Cross.

"Our aim is to ensure that all young people and children in the UK have the opportunity to learn first aid skills and gain the confidence to save lives."