St John WA enters a virtual new world in teaching students first aid

The VR headsets were popular with the students from Shelley Primary School.

Students from Shelley Primary School have become the first in Western Australia to learn first aid skills using St John’s virtual reality headsets.

The new headsets, which provide virtual scenarios for children to engage with and learn from, were purchased thanks to a $100,000 donation to St John Giving from the McCusker Foundation to support St John’s youth First Aid Focus program.

First Aid Focus is a free in-school program that allows WA students to learn basic first aid skills, ensuring they’re empowered to take the right steps to save a life in the event of a healthcare emergency.

The program, which is now digitally enhanced through the VR headsets, has been developed by St John WA to offer engaging, age-appropriate classes for all students ranging from kindergarten to year 12.

First Aid Focus offers fun, engaging, and age-appropriate classes for all students ranging from Kindy – Year 12.

Experienced St John WA Community Education Officers demonstrate the correct first aid approach as well as giving students the opportunity to practice and rehearse live-saving skills. 

The VR headsets were debuted at this year’s Perth Royal Show, but this was the first time they had been used in a school setting.

Responses from students ranged from: “This is so cool”, to “it’s really fun and I learnt a lot”, with the headsets a hit with the kids.

Find out more about First Aid Focus on our website.