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Harry Potter and the death-defying first aid tips

By Mark Cox
July 29, 2011 at 12:36 pm

Millions of Harry Potter fans will be flocking to UK cinemas in the next few weeks, fully expecting to pick up hot wizarding and magic tips. What they might not expect is to learn how to save someone’s life, but that’s exactly what will happen thanks to a British Red Cross first aid trailer advert showing with the movie.

The powerful new 30-second cinema advert is being shown before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 – confidently expected to be the biggest movie release of 2011.

The hard-hitting ad, which focuses on a drunk girl at a party and uses a split-screen device to startling effect – starkly shows the potential consequences of not knowing first aid. Crucially, it also shows that, in such circumstances, you can save someone’s life simply by rolling them on their side and tilting their head back so the airway is clear.

The advert – part of the Red Cross’ Life. Live it. campaign – will feature on 823 cinema screens between 29 July and 11 August, and will potentially reach 2.6 million people.

It’s a nice thought that, as they settle back to enjoy a couple of hours’ fantasy magical entertainment, thousands of young people will be shown how to do something genuinely incredible – save someone’s life in an emergency.


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The Red Cross values comments both complimentary and critical. However, we will not tolerate the following: aggressive or personal criticism of the blogger, breach of copyright, obscene, defamatory, profane, sexually oriented, racially offensive or likewise objectionable comments.


  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Margaret-Lawson/1222732714 Margaret Lawson

    As a member of the British Red Cross first aid for many years since when have we put a patient in the recovery position from behind the patient, as in the Harry Potter/BRC trailer.

  • Ijazz888

    Its an excellent attempt to aware the people how they could save the life of others, because its a very common thing to get drunk at parties, and they could be saved by doing as little effort as it is. And because Harry Potter has millions of fans,  we could easily expect millions of UK people to see and get inspiration from this ad.