Emergencies can happen anytime — and when they do, having basic first aid skills can mean the difference between a minor injury and a major emergency.

In Australia, first aid knowledge isn’t just encouraged — it’s a critical part of workplace health and safety under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws.

Here’s why basic first aid skills are essential — and what every worker should know.

Immediate Action Can Save Lives

When an accident occurs, every second matters. Workers trained in basic first aid know how to:

• Quickly assess the situation to ensure it’s safe to provide help
• Check a person’s airway, breathing, and circulation (the ABCs)
• Administer lifesaving first aid while waiting for emergency services

Early intervention can significantly reduce the severity of injuries, speed up recovery, and even save lives.

Key First Aid Skills Everyone Should Know

The fundamentals of first aid involve understanding how to:

• Assess the situation: Ensure the area is safe for you and the injured person.
• Check Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABC): These are the first priorities in an emergency.
• Control bleeding: Apply pressure, dress wounds, and manage shock.
• Treat burns: Cool the burn with running water and cover it appropriately.
• Manage sprains and strains: Immobilise and support the injured area.
• Respond to fractures: Support and protect broken limbs until help arrives.
• Recognise signs of medical emergencies: Such as strokes, heart attacks, or severe allergic reactions.

With even basic knowledge, workers can act quickly and confidently — buying vital time until professional help arrives.

Be Prepared with a First Aid Kit

No workplace can respond properly without the right equipment. A well-stocked, compliant first aid kit is essential. According to Safe Work Australia guidelines, your workplace first aid kit should be:

• Easily accessible
• Tailored to the risks of your specific workplace (e.g., burns dressings for kitchens, eye wash stations for workshops)
• Regularly checked to ensure items are stocked, in date, and ready to use

Regular audits and replenishment are key to staying prepared.

It’s the Law

Under Australian WHS regulations, businesses must:

• Provide adequate first aid facilities
• Ensure an appropriate number of workers are trained in first aid
• Regularly review first aid needs based on workplace risks

Ignoring first aid requirements can lead to significant fines — and more importantly, put your workers’ safety at risk.

How AmbaGuard Can Help

At AmbaGuard, we help businesses across Victoria and southern NSW stay safe, prepared, and compliant.

We offer:

• First aid kit supply, auditing and replenishment
• Workplace first aid risk assessments
• Safety training solutions tailored to your industry

Be ready for anything. Protect your team.

📞 Call us today on 0407 877 482

📧 Email: admin@ambaguard.com.au