WOULD you know what to do if someone with you was suffering a heart attack, an epileptic episode or fell and broke a bone? Possibly not, because Australia has some of the lowest rates of first aid training in the world.
In fact, less than 5 per cent of Australians are trained in first aid and can help in an emergency situation.
With falls and injuries more likely to occur in the home than any other place, therefore making family members first responders in an accident, the Australian Red Cross has urged more people to learn first aid.
It could save the life of someone you love... or a complete stranger.
"Having the skills to give first aid before an ambulance arrives can also ensure a faster recovery," said Red Cross trainer Janie McCullagh.
"Once you have the knowledge, it stays with you for life and gives you the confidence to react in the event of an accident."
Home injury accounts for 45 per cent of severe injuries sustained by women, while 25 per cent of men are injured at home.
The elderly and children are most at risk, with women 60 and over accounting for more than two-thirds of hospital admissions for home injury.
Did you know...
- A person whose heart has stopped has an 80 per cent chance of surviving if CPR is started in the first minute. This goes down to less than 5 per cent survival chance if CPR is not started until 10 minutes later.
- More than two million Australians suffer from asthma and more than four million from allergies - the highest rates of any country in the world. Both conditions can lead to life-threatening situations requiring immediate first aid, especially in children.
- In terms of years of potential life lost (up to age 75), injury outweighs cancer and heart disease combined by a factor of more than two.
Book into a Red Cross first aid training course or refresher course, 1300-367-428, redcross.org.au/first-aid.aspx