Scottish Students Gain Lifesaving Skills Through Virtual Reality Training Initiative
More than 1,200 secondary school students across Scotland have strengthened their ability to respond to medical emergencies through a pioneering training programme that integrates virtual reality (VR) and educational escape room activities. The Scottish Ambulance Service created this groundbreaking programme, Young Minds Save Lives, and NHS Charities Together is presently supporting it.
Uniquely co-created with young people, the programme is designed to provide students with critical skills for handling real-life emergencies, while also educating them on preventative healthcare and raising awareness of potential careers and volunteer opportunities in the health sector. It encourages informed use of healthcare services and improves readiness in crisis situations.
First, students in third grade at Holyrood Secondary School and Shawlands Academy participated in the initiative, with lessons designed to address the specific health concerns of their neighbourhoods. Delivered by front-line paramedics, the sessions covered practical topics including how to place someone in the recovery position, recognising signs of a stroke, responding to chest pains and heart attacks, administering aid for drug and alcohol-related incidents, and treating severe bleeding from penetrating wounds.
An evaluation by the University of Glasgow showed substantial gains in student knowledge and confidence. Awareness of how to position someone in the recovery position rose by 150%, while confidence in treating wounds from sharp objects increased by 49%. There was also a 30% improvement in students’ confidence in dealing with emergencies involving substance misuse.
Further data revealed notable progress in understanding cardiac emergencies. There was a 44% increase in confidence when responding to chest pain or potential heart attacks, a 47% boost in confidence while performing CPR, a 97% increase in knowledge of when to use a defibrillator, and a 64% improvement in confidence when using one.
The programme’s interactive approach includes practical use of mannequins and VR equipment, along with team-based escape room challenges. These methods are designed to reinforce knowledge in a way that is memorable and engaging for students.
Following the success of the initial phase, the programme has expanded to three more schools in Glasgow—Hollybrook Academy, St Margaret Mary’s Secondary School, and Castlemilk High School. Hollybrook Academy, which supports students with additional learning needs, has helped shape a fully inclusive learning environment. Responding to student feedback, a mental health module has also been added, co-designed with participants to ensure the topics remain relevant to their experiences and concerns.
The Scottish Ambulance Service is now seeking long-term funding to allow for national expansion of the Young Minds Save Lives programme. The aim is to equip more young people with essential first aid and health-related skills tailored to their specific communities. The ongoing development of this initiative highlights the potential of collaborative efforts between educational institutions, healthcare providers, and young people in fostering a generation equipped to respond confidently in medical emergencies.
