A free emergency training program by LifeFlight is supporting Red Frogs Australia for this year’s Schoolies cohort, as more than 40,000 school-leavers descend on the Gold Coast for the celebratory bash.
One hundred Red Frogs team leaders were taught important trauma training skills in a LifeFlight First Minutes Matter education session, to increase their confidence in an emergency and to provide life-saving medical care until first responders arrive.
Topics such as keeping yourself safe during an incident, how to stop severe bleeding and when to call for help if someone is on drugs or intoxicated were taught by LifeFlight regional medical educator Tim Hair.
Mr Hair said it was important that team leaders felt prepared to act should a medical emergency arise.
“These are important skills to learn, as what people do in the first few minutes of an emergency can mean the difference between life and death,” he said.
LifeFlight patient Zach Nightingale attended the training session to speak about his experience with the aeromedical organisation and to emphasise the importance of knowing what to do in the first minutes of a medical emergency.
“After losing my leg in a motorcycle accident, I learned firsthand how important it is to learn trauma training skills, and how this training can save lives. I would not be here today if it weren’t for the actions of my first responders,” Zach said.
“Emergency trauma training gives everyday people like yourselves the tools to respond calmly, and the confidence to take action when stepping up in a situation where every second counts.”
Red Frogs have looked after Schoolies for more than 25 years and have expanded to other party destinations such as Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.
Red Frogs Australia founder and director Andy Gourley said team members were often first on the scene.
“We’re incredibly grateful for LifeFlight’s First Minutes Matter training,” Mr Gourley said.
“Having practical, lifesaving knowledge empowers them to respond confidently in those critical moments and support young people when it matters most.”
