As Australians embrace the warmer weather and spend more time outdoors, health experts have labelled summer as 'trauma season' for hospital emergency rooms.

Australia has one of the lowest rates in the world for first aid training, with less than 5 per cent of people trained in how to handle a medical emergency.

This is despite about 500,000 Australians being hospitalised annually for injuries, with about 12,000 of those people losing their lives.[i]

TAFE NSW First Aid Head Teacher, Anthony Rogers has warned that summer is also the season for the most minor accidents requiring first aid.

Mr Rogers has highlighted the top incidents which require first aid throughout summer and how to treat them:

Sunburn

• Cool the burn with cool running water for at least 20 minutes
• Apply a moisturiser or aloe vera to soothe the burn only after heat has been removed
• Drink water to prevent dehydration
• If required, seek medical advice if the burn continues to stay strong in colour and painful to touch for more than three days

Nose bleeds

• Sit the casualty down with their head leaning forward
• Ask the casualty to pinch the soft part of the nose, below the bone
• Maintain pressure for 10 to 20 minutes
• Apply a cold pack to the neck, nose or forehead
• If bleeding continues after 20 minutes, seek medical advice

Bluebottle Stings

• Remove the casualty from the water
• Seek the assistance of a lifeguard
• Pick off tentacles by hand and wash sting site with sea water
• Place casualty’s sting site in hot water for 20 minutes. If hot water does not relieve the pain (or is not available), apply a cold pack or ice in a dry plastic bag
• Do not use vinegar, this may make the sting worse

To be properly equipped as a first responder, the TAFE NSW Statement of Attainment in Provide First Aid is an 8-hour course that equips participants with skills and knowledge to empower them to take control of an emergency situation.

To find out more about studying a first aid short course at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Sarah Lievore, TAFE NSW Media Officer, sarah.lievore1@tafensw.edu.au