St John Ambulance urge communities to learn life saving skills this World First Aid Day

Falling on September 12, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) first introduced World First Aid Day in 2000 to raise public awareness, simple first aid skills and the confidence to use them, can save lives.

St John Ambulance CEO, Sarah Lance, says there has never been a more critical time to have the skills to respond to a first aid incident.

"We know that GP clinics across the country have reported major drops in patient numbers, either because of COVID-19 fears or problems transitioning to telehealth services," she said.

"Everyone in the community should know how to respond to a first aid emergency, but also be able recognise when you need to seek medical help - whether that's calling an ambulance or visiting a GP."

According to a 2017 study, only 5 per cent of Australians know first aid, one of the lowest rates in the world.

Over 30,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Australia every year with a current survival rate of less than 9 per cent.

The combination of CPR and defibrillation is the only definitive treatment for Sudden Cardiac Arrest, increasing survival rates by up to 70 per cent.

In early 2020, at a Wiggles bushfire relief concert, yellow Wiggle Greg collapsed after having a heart attack on stage.

Quick-thinking bystanders delivered CPR and saved his life.

After such a public display of the benefits of life-saving first aid skills, there was a conscious effort to install more defibrillators in public areas which makes it vital to learn how to use them.

This World First Aid Day stands as a reminder to enrol in a first aid training course, or update any training completed in the past and learn the vital skills to save a life.

St John Ambulance NSW offers basic, advanced and online first aid training, making it incredibly easy to become accredited.

To enrol in a first aid course, or learn more, visit: www.stjohnnsw.com.au/training.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Macleay Argus. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.