Member for Wyong David Harris joined St John Ambulance volunteers recently to introduce a new interactive online free Driver First Aid training course that can be accessed by members of the community.
Participants will be informed about the importance of roadside first aid, before signing up to an accessible e-learning course that takes only 40 minutes to complete and is offered at no cost.
“Participants learn common first aid interventions such as how and when to call for help, putting a person in the recovery position, checking and supporting an airway, stopping a bleed, treating broken bones, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and administering an Automated External Defibrillator, if one is available,” Harris said.
He said 5,508 Australians had signed up to St John’s Learner Driver First Aid online training since its inception.
The program works on the premise that in first aid, any action is better than no action as an early intervention.
“Knowing basic first aid can help anyone in responding to another person who is ill or injured, in the vital moments after an incident while waiting for emergency services,” Harris said.
“While the program is primarily geared towards young people and those who are new behind the wheel, the skills and knowledge are applicable to all road users and are also skills for life.”
The initiative has more recently been adapted to suit other road users, such as truck drivers, who have their own online version (truckiefirstaid.org.au).
Over time St John Ambulance hopes to create tailored versions for new audiences and scenarios with the support of funders.
Sign up to Driver First Aid training for free at driverfirstaid.org.au
Once the training is completed, a digital certificate of completion can be downloaded.
For further, fully accredited first aid training you can sign-up for other courses in your state/territory by visiting www.stjohn.org.au/training