Not Just Once, But Three Times: Why First Aid Training Matters

Real story shared by Krista, Tasmanian local and St John first aid graduate.

It’s hard to predict when life will put you in the middle of an emergency. For Krista, it wasn’t just once—it happened three times. And each time, she realised how vital first aid knowledge can be.

A Late-Night Highway Crash (2019)

Krista was travelling at night on the highway from Launceston airport when the car in front struck a cyclist at full speed. The young driver, still on his P-plates, was in complete shock and unable to help.

While her partner called Triple Zero, Krista rushed to the injured cyclist. The scene was dangerous with cars speeding past in poor visibility, but all she could do was reassure him and keep him conscious until the ambulance arrived. The paramedics gave him strong pain relief and rushed him to hospital. She’ll never forget the look of relief on his face.

A Fall in the Street (2020)

The following year, Krista turned a corner and saw an elderly man collapse, hitting his head hard on the road. Blood was everywhere, and he was barely breathing. She had no gloves, no kit—just her phone.

She sat behind him, using her bare hands to apply pressure to his head injury while calling for help. Strangers walked past; only one person stopped. Krista remembers the helplessness of not knowing whether to do CPR first or continue managing the bleeding. That moment is what pushed her to complete her first aid course with St John. From then on, she’s kept a first aid kit in her car.

An E-Scooter Crash at Her Front Gate (2024)

Most recently, a young man miscalculated a turn on his e-scooter and slammed headfirst into Krista’s brick fence. He was conscious but concussed, with a clear head injury. This time, she felt prepared. With her daughter and neighbour by her side, Krista kept him comfortable while they waited for the ambulance—using the equipment and skills she had gained from St John training.