ballin - i completely agree with you, i did a first aid course a few months ago and was shocked that almost everything i thought i knew was incorrect and could do more damage than good, like the recovery position you mentioned and i couldnt beleive swalloing your tongue was a myth

basic first aid is deffinatly required imo, even though things are constantly changing, people who worked in the pits for example do things very differently to what is recomended now but it is still helpful knowledge to have and could seriously help someone one day

a little off topic but... the woman running the course told us about her son who drove the ambulances and as he was taking a patient from one hospital to the other he drove past a car accident. he got out to help the person until another ambulance arrived to take them to the hospital that was closest. but the nhs get fined when a journey takes over 13 minutes and because he took over this as he stopped, he got disaplinary action. how shit is that??