As the calendar turns and a new year begins, many of us make resolutions. We promise to take up a new hobby, look out for our health, or spend more time with family. But there is one goal that too few people consider, yet it could save a life: being prepared for emergencies.

Emergencies don’t wait for a convenient time. They can happen when you least expect them, while packing away Christmas decorations, at a backyard barbecue, at the pool, or during a neighbour’s gathering. A fall at home, a drowning in the backyard pool, or someone collapsing from a cardiac arrest are all real situations that can occur in everyday life.

Why First Aid Training Should Be on Your List

Knowing first aid gives you the skills to act fast when someone needs help. Despite this, according to a St John’s research, 56% of adults in Victoria don’t feel confident in their ability to help in an emergency, even though most people will witness or be part of one in their lifetime. Having the right first aid skills can make a big difference between life and death.

St John Ambulance Victoria offers first aid training that teaches people how to respond to a wide range of emergencies big and small; from CPR for a cardiac arrest to the right way to treat a burn, how to quickly help someone choking and how to recognise and manage shock. Including first aid training in your New Year’s resolutions means you are committing to being ready when it matters most for your family, friends or work colleagues.

Be Prepared for Common Summer Injuries

Summer brings a mix of fun and unexpected hazards. Warm weather and outdoor living can lead to injuries and health issues like heat-related illness, burns, bites and stings. Paramedics across Victoria regularly see rises in heat exhaustion, heat stroke and water-related incidents as the warmer months arrive, and many of these emergencies are preventable with early recognition and first aid response.

Knowing how to act quickly, whether it is recognising the signs of heat stroke, treating a wound properly, or managing insect bites, can protect your family and friends and stop a minor issue becoming something much worse. Courses from St John cover these everyday scenarios and give you practical skills you can use at home and on the go.

A First Aid Kit — Your Essential Safety Tool

Being prepared also means having the right equipment. A well-stocked first aid kit should be in your home, your car, your campervan and your workplace. First aid kits help you manage cuts, burns, sprains and other injuries before professional help arrives. But research shows that only 59% of Victorians have a first aid kit at home, fewer still have one at work or in the car, and many of these kits are out of date with missing or expired items.

A good first aid kit should include items like dressings, bandages, antiseptic wipes, gloves and a first aid guide. Regularly check your kit to make sure items haven’t expired and replace used or missing supplies. Having one close by means you can act fast in emergencies.

St John Ambulance Victoria offers a range of first aid kits and supplies designed for homes, cars, workplaces and outdoor adventures, plus guidance on how to choose what you need.

Make 2026 the Year You Learn First Aid

This year, why not set a resolution that really matters? Whether you are a parent, neighbour, colleague or friend, first aid training gives you confidence to help when it counts. Courses like Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) and CPR (HLTAID009) are practical, easy to follow and suitable for everyone, and no prior experience needed.

If you are looking for something you can do from home, why not try the 100% online or elearning options, which can take as little as half an hour; or if you are heading back to work have a look at our First Aid Checklist for Back to Work.

By learning first aid and keeping a first aid kit close at hand, you are not just making a New Year’s resolution, you are making your community safer.

Be ready. Be confident. Be the difference. Learn first aid with St John Ambulance Victoria.