Story of a night out

A screen and PC or device to play the video from.

These resources from the British Red Cross look at the scenario of a house party. They explore peer pressure, social barriers to helping and the first aid skills needed to help someone who has drunk too much and is lying unresponsive and breathing.

Start by watching the video of a house party then discuss the following:

• Why is Alice having trouble helping Hannah?
• What are Alice's options to help?
• If you had known what was going to happen, what would you do differently?
• Everyone feels nervous in these situations, what can you do to help you choose to help?
• Discuss each of the characters, what could they have done differently?

Explain that you are going to learn about the 'pushover' or recovery position. Split the group into pairs and follow the video instructions in the link, as follows:

1. Watch the demonstration of the ‘pushover’
2. Pause the film : ask the pairs to move to a position in the room with clear space around them.
   Play the next extract where Mark explains that the first step is to get one person to lie on their back.
3. Pause the film : one member of each pair should now lie on their back.
   Next Mark instructs the person doing the ‘pushover’ to check their partner’s breathing.
4. Pause the film : check breathing by tilting their head back and looking and feeling for breaths.
   Mark explains that the next step is to push their partner onto their side and tilt their head back.
5. Pause the film : push them on to their side and tilt their head back.
   Mark says to check breathing once again and then call 999.
6. Pause the film : check they are still breathing. Pretend to Call 999.
   Mark explains that it’s now time to swap over so the other person in the pair can have a go.
7. Pairs should swap over and repeat the exercise.
8. Play to the end, a final reminder of the ‘pushover’ is given.

Talk about how group members now feel about the video and using the pushover recovery technique. Reassure group members by reinforcing these useful messages:

• It is better to do something rather than nothing.
• When more people are around, remember what you now know about being an active bystander and take action, when it is safe to do so.
• It's okay to feel scared – but you can always do something helpful.
• You are not alone, there are other people who can support you – emergency operator, ambulance staff, etc.
• Call for help.