“Be Someone’s Hero”: World First Aid Day

By Mike CrooksSaturday 14 Sep 2024Health and WellbeingReading Time: 4 minutes

As summer approaches, and the risk of beach and pool drownings increases across the nation, Australia’s leading first-aid course provider has dropped an alarming stat.

Key Points

• Nearly half of all Australians lack the CPR knowledge to save a life.
• “Understanding how to provide CPR to an adult or child is a powerful tool that transforms ordinary individuals into life-saving heroes,” AWFA chief operating officer Melissa Dos Santos said.
• There is also a lack of knowledge for other first-aid skills – such as administering an EpiPen, and treating choking.

A new report by Australia Wide First Aid (AWFA), reveals that nearly half of all Australians lack the CPR knowledge to save a life.

The report has been released in the lead up to World First Aid Day on Saturday (September 14), “a pivotal event that highlights the life-saving impact of first aid and encourages all Australians to learn these vital skills,” read a statement from AWFA, which oversees the day in Australia.

“Our mission is to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively in emergencies, ultimately creating a safer, more resilient society.”

“Life-saving heroes”

AWFA’s inaugural First Aid Proficiency Report shows that only a third of Australians have ever assisted in providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

And 47 per cent said that providing CPR is the most intimidating first-aid situation – despite most Australians agreeing that the life-saving measure is the most important first-aid skill to know.

Nearly half of all Australians lack the CPR knowledge to save a life.

“Understanding how to provide CPR to an adult or child is a powerful tool that transforms ordinary individuals into life-saving heroes,” AWFA chief operating officer Melissa Dos Santos said.

“Learning the basic skills and taking a first-aid course can be the first step in the difference between life or death.”

Knowledge gap

The first-aid report involved a survey of around 1,000 Australians last month.

Among the findings was that there is a “CPR knowledge gap” in Australia – concerning in a country whose citizens are drawn to the coast.

Drowning deaths in Australia increased by 16 percent from last year, and in Queensland alone, there were 70 drowning deaths.

But the research showed that only one in five people in Queensland “are confident providing CPR after a drowning,” according to the AWFA .

Empowering individuals

But Australians are not just coming up short in CPR skills, there is also a lack of knowledge for other first-aid skills – such as administering an EpiPen, and treating choking.

The vast majority of Australians (over 70 per cent) aren’t confident with what they should do in the event of an asthma attack or allergic reaction.

“Understanding how to provide CPR to an adult or child is a powerful tool that transforms ordinary individuals into life-saving heroes,” Melissa Dos Santos said.

“Enhancing first-aid skills is not just about feeling prepared for the worst, it’s about empowering every individual to act confidently and effectively in everyday situations that threaten safety,“ Ms Dos Santos said.

“Whether it’s a snake bite, an allergic reaction or a heart attack, our goal is to ensure these critical life-saving skills become second nature to all Australians, creating a safe and more resilient community.”

“Every second counts”

The survey also revealed that though people might have been trained in first aid, or have first-aid awareness, some people are hesitant to provide help in case they do something wrong.

More than one in 20 Australians admit they didn’t act in an emergency for fear of making the situation worse.

And 82 per cent of people said they wouldn’t be confident performing CPR on a child or baby.

But AWFA points out that there is a “Good Samaritan” law in Australia, which “prevents legal action for people who have acted in good faith during a life-saving emergency.”

First-aid trainer Jay Watson says that people should conduct regular first-aid testing to hold the confidence to save a life.

“It ensures that as a nation, we’re always prepared to act swiftly and confidently in an emergency,” he said.

“I’ve seen first-hand how quickly a situation can turn critical, and I became a CPR trainer because I wanted to make a real difference in those crucial moments of uncertainty, where every second counts.”

There is also a lack of knowledge for other first-aid skills – such as administering an EpiPen, and treating choking.

Master the basics

CPR is a life-saving technique that everyone should know.

Here are some safety tips for mastering the basics of CPR in just minutes (source AWFA):

1. Make sure to be properly trained and certified in CPR before attempting to perform the procedure.
2. Be aware of the environment. Be sure to have a clear space in which to perform CPR and have the necessary equipment and supplies nearby.
3. Make sure to check the victim’s airway and breathing before performing CPR.
4. Always ensure that the correct protective gear such as gloves and a face mask is worn.
5. Follow the basic steps of the technique: chest compressions, rescue breaths, and monitoring the victim’s response.
6. Monitor the victim’s breathing, pulse, and colour during the procedure.
7. Perform CPR in two-minute intervals before checking the victim’s response.
8. Do not perform CPR if the victim is conscious and breathing.
9. If alone, contact emergency services immediately after performing CPR.

“Keeping your skills sharp not only boosts your confidence but can truly be the key to saving a friend, family member or colleague’s life,” Mr Watson said.

To undertake a first-aid course visit AWFA, or the Red Cross.

To take AWFA’s “ultimate first aid personality quiz,” visit here.

Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro