On the morning of Saturday, 14 June 2026, a 35-year-old woman, Leah Stewart, was swimming about 30 metres from the shore at Coogee Beach in Sydney when a three-to-four metre shark attacked her. She suffered severe wounds to her left leg and arm. What followed — before the ambulance even arrived — was a masterclass … Continue reading
Category Archives: First Aid News
Why First Aid Training Could Save Someone’s Life — Maybe Even Someone You Love
Every year, thousands of Australians find themselves in situations where knowing basic first aid could mean the difference between life and death. A child chokes at a birthday party. A co-worker collapses at their desk. A friend has a seizure at the beach. In those first critical minutes before an ambulance arrives, the person nearest … Continue reading
When an Opera Singer Steals the Show — and Saves a Life
It’s not every day a 21-year-old aspiring opera singer performs two showstoppers before lunchtime. But that’s exactly what Freddy Shaw did on the morning of 4 June 2026 — and one of those performances was considerably more dramatic than anything on stage. The Story: A Hero Hits All the Right Notes As the Manly Observer … Continue reading
Snakebite in the Bush: Why Good First Aid and Fast Action Matter
A recent incident in Morton National Park is a strong reminder of just how critical correct first aid can be when things go wrong in the Australian outdoors. As ABC News report, a bushwalker was bitten twice by an eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) and survived largely due to early first aid and very rapid … Continue reading
Major Update to ANZCOR Guideline 9.2.3: What’s Changed for First Aiders
The Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) has released a significant update to their first aid guidelines for recognizing and managing seriously ill persons. This update consolidates and expands previous guidance, making it more practical and comprehensive for first aiders in the community. What’s New? ANZCOR has merged two separate guidelines into one … Continue reading
Tick Bites and Deadly Allergies: What Jeremy Webb’s Case Teaches Us About Anaphylaxis First Aid
A recent coronial inquest in NSW has brought national attention to a hidden danger lurking in our bushland and backyards: mammalian meat allergy triggered by tick bites. The tragic death of 16-year-old Jeremy Webb from the Central Coast has highlighted why every Australian needs to understand how to recognise and respond to anaphylaxis. A Unique … Continue reading
The ANZCOR Hypothermia Guideline Has Been Updated – Here’s What It Means for You
Australia isn’t known for its freezing weather generally, but cold exposure still happens — especially during outdoor work, camping, or water activities. Recognising this, the Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) has updated its Guideline 9.3.3: First Aid Management of Hypothermia and Cold-Related Injuries to reflect the latest evidence. The changes are designed … Continue reading
