First aid is often considered a skillset for adults, but it has great benefits for children, too. The earlier kids learn how to stay safe (and keep others safe) the sooner they have the skills they need to do so!

While not all first aid is suitable for children, there are a few key skills that kids can easily pick up in a basic first aid course like HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, which includes basic first aid and CPR.

1. Locating the first aid kit

Children should know where the first aid kit is, and as they get a little older, they should know what’s inside it and how to use these supplies.

Adults might be able to use the kit before the ambulance arrives at the location, so if a child knows where it’s kept, they can speed up delivery of care.

2. Calling for help

It’s vital kids know the limitations of what they can do themselves. For almost all first aid emergencies, children will need to contact someone more experienced and trained for additional help or follow up.

Knowing who to call – and what to say – is therefore a crucial first aid skill in itself.

This includes:

1. How to stay calm in an emergency and dial 000 (in Australia) for emergency services.
2. How to give the address and/or describe the location, identify landmarks or signs that can identify where the accident or emergency has taken place. This is particularly important if the first aid is needed away from home where first aiders will need to locate them quickly.
3. How to describe what has happened to emergency services or to first aiders on the scene to take over.

There’s a fantastic app that teaches Aussie kids how to do all these things in a series of fun games. And there are free lesson plans and resource packs on the website to support teachers and caregivers too!

Check it out at: https://kids.triplezero.gov.au/

3. Family emergencies

Every family is different, and so children should learn basic first aid for problems they might face. Maybe someone has a dangerous allergy, epilepsy, or diabetes?

These are all potential issues that primary-age kids can and should be taught to address, even if only until the ambulance arrives.

4. How to stop bleeding

When bleeding is severe, it can be life-threatening. Even younger kids can learn how to stop a bleed, by applying pressure on the injury with an absorbent cloth. 

They should also know how to add more if needed and to keep pressure until help arrives.

5. Provide Basic (hands-only) CPR

This simple skill can be taught to children, and it could help them save a life. CPR is required when someone is unresponsive and not breathing, and any attempt is better than none.

The hands-only CPR method requires a willing and capable bystander to push hard and fast in the centre of the casualty’s chest for as long as they can, or until helps arrives.

There are many great kids CPR teaching resources online like this one:

Looking for a first aid course in Brisbane?

These skills are perfect for learning in a school setting. Our first aid and CPR training in Brisbane can teach children the skills they need to stay safe. 

Check out the course info pages to learn more and book a course:

CPR course Brisbane – HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

First Aid and CPR course in Brisbane – HLTAID011 Provide First Aid