Robert Hunt Alive in 5 Interview

Robert Hunt Alive in 5 Interview

You can do a lot in 5 minutes; press snooze, make lunch, grab a coffee – but did you know you can also save a life in 5 minutes?

St John Ambulance Australia will launch their new first aid campaign, Alive in 5, in celebration of World First Aid Day on 10 September 2016.

The Alive in 5 campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of first aid and how in as little as 5 minutes, a life can be saved if you have the right first aid skills.

Robert Hunt, St John Ambulance Australia CEO, says: 'Alive in 5 is a new initiative for St John Ambu-lance Australia which focuses on how critical 5 minutes can be in a survival situation, especially in the lead up to summer in Australia.

'People can do a lot in 5 minutes; grab a coffee, phone a friend, check emails - but in a survival situa-tion, 5 minutes can make all the difference in whether someone lives or dies," Mr Hunt said.

'Living in Australia means trips to our beautiful beaches and outdoor activities which can result in injuries like blue bottle stings, snake bites or even drowning, which is why the more prepared you are, the better your chances of surviving or helping someone in need."

Mr Hunt says this is why St John Ambulance Australia is offering Aussies 10% off selected first aid courses if they sign up on 9 and 10 September 2016 via their local state's St John Ambulance web-site.

'By being first aid ready you can help minimise injuries and save lives in everyday crisis situations so we urge Australians to take a moment on World First Aid Day and sign up to a St John Ambulance First Aid course," Mr Hunt said.

Australia is invited to join the conversation on Facebook by posting a picture doing the Alive in 5 and encouraging friends, families and colleagues to sign up to a St John Ambulance first aid or CPR course.

St John Ambulance Australia is a self-funded charitable organisation and not for profit with all funds raised going to charitable and humanitarian work such as teaching primary school children first aid. Alive in 5 is a St John Ambulance Australia initiative which will see an exciting calendar of first aid awareness activities take place around Australia in the coming months.

World First Aid Day is a global initiative founded in 2000 which aims at raising awareness of how first aid can prevent injuries and save lives, as well as promoting the accessibility of first aid.

Interview with Robert Hunt, CEO of St John Ambulance Australia

Question: What is the Alive in 5 campaign?

Robert Hunt: We are very excited to announce our Alive in 5 campaign for World First Aid Day on 10 September 2016. People can do a lot in 5 minutes - press snooze, make lunch, grab a coffee – but did you know you can also save a life in 5 minutes?

Alive in 5 is a new initiative for St John Ambulance Australia which focuses on how critical 5 minutes can be in a survival situation, especially in the lead up to summer in Australia. Important for people to brush up on their first aid skills, especially in the lead up to summer with trips to the beach and outdoor activities. We see a lot of snake bites, broken bones and drownings.

St John Ambulance Australia is offering Aussies 10% off selected first aid courses if they sign up on 9 and 10 September 2016.


Question: What inspired the creation of this campaign?

Robert Hunt: St John Ambulance Australia is launching this new campaign, Alive in 5, in celebration of World First Aid Day on 10 September 2016.


Question: What do you hope to achieve with the Alive in 5 campaign?

Robert Hunt: The Alive in 5campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of first aid and how in as little as 5 minutes, a life can be saved if you have the right first aid skills.


Question: Why is it important that all Australians are First Aid trained?

Robert Hunt: Everyone should learn at least some basic first aid techniques. You never know when you might need them - you could be at home, at work, at school or on holiday. Whether it's a minor situation or something more serious, first aid knowledge will give you the confidence to act. You could be the difference between life and death.


Question: How can Australians sign up or update their First Aid with a course?

Robert Hunt: Visit your St John Ambulance website in your state to learn how you can book a course and receive 10%.
Or call 1300 360 455

VIC -      https://www.stjohnvic.com.au

NSW -  http://www.stjohnnsw.com.au

QLD -     http://www.stjohnqld.com.au

NT -        http://www.stjohnnt.org.au

TAS -      http://www.stjohntas.org.au

ACT -     http://www.stjohnact.com.au

Question: What is the difference between first aid and CPR courses?

Robert Hunt: Our CPR course provides you with the basic knowledge and skills required to maintain life of an unconscious casualty until medical help arrives. Our basic CPR course is around 3-4 hours long.

Our first aid course is a comprehensive 2 day course which includes a CPR component but also covers other medical emergencies such as chest pain, asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes, strokes, seizures, hyperventilation, fainting and more.

Both are nationally recognised courses.


Question: How can Australians support the Alive in 5 campaign?

Robert Hunt: Book a course and learn First Aid.

 

St John Ambulance Australia is offering all Aussies 10% off selected first aid courses if they sign up on 9 and 10 September 2016

Sign up via their local state's St John Ambulance website

 

Join our Facebook(@stjohnambulanceaus) by posting a picture doing the Alive in 5 and encouraging friends, families and colleagues to sign up to a St John Ambulance first aid or CPR course.


Interview by Brooke Hunter