St John WA launches unique digital first aid

Students from Kalgoorlie’s School of the Air are the first to trial an innovative new digital first aid training program that will provide vital lifesaving skills to Western Australians, no matter their location, age or circumstance.

An Australian first, the program has been developed as part of St John’s commitment to building resilient communities and ensuring people have the skills and knowledge to support each other in an emergency.

St John WA Director of Health Services Phil Holman said St John was delighted to partner with the Kalgoorlie School of the Air to trial and launch St John Skills.

“Our experience over the past few months with the COVID-19 virus has highlighted the importance of having essential first aid skills to help care for our loved ones and neighbours,” Mr Holman said.

“Most of these students live in remote locations, many kilometres from the nearest town centre and would not have the opportunity to learn these valuable first aid skills in a classroom setting.”

Principal Eloise Jansen Van Vuuren said the St John Skills course had a multitude of benefits for their community.

“At Kalgoorlie School of the Air we provide distance education to primary school students who are geographically isolated. Most of our students are living on farms, pastoral stations, roadhouses, remote communities and mining leases,” Ms Jansen Van Vuuren said.

“They have really enjoyed the interactive design of the course that requires them to demonstrate first aid rather than simply watch and learn. This technology is invaluable for a community like ours where many families are based in isolated locations, with limited access to immediate medical care. This training may save someone’s life.”

The course takes participants through a series of 31 skills including training for injuries and emergency scenarios such as asthma, choking, burns and dehydration, plus CPR.

The unique online program can be completed anywhere there is an internet connection and equates to a full-day first aid course when all skills are completed. While it does not have national accreditation, which requires a trainer to oversee skill competencies, the content is developed by paramedics and St John accredited.

The course is designed to benefit all people who want to learn first aid skills but find it difficult to commit to an in-person course. Participants can complete St John Skills in their own time, in the office, at home or in the classroom.

St John Skills are available to learn from $2.99, and $5 for the CPR training package with funds raised through the uptake of these courses reinvested into the community through essential St John WA services and school programs across the State.

To undertake the St John Skills training, please visit: www.stjohnwa.com.au/skills