Free online CPR and first aid training for parents: The Heart Beat Club is back
First aid training: Could you act fast if your child stopped breathing?
It’s a scary thought, but for many parents, emergencies happen in the place they least expect – right at home.
That’s why Kids Alive, in partnership with Royal Life Saving WA, is relaunching the Heart Beat Club: a free, online CPR and first aid course made just for parents and carers of babies and young children.
With drowning and injury rates still alarmingly high, this program couldn’t come at a better time.
Knowing CPR and first aid could save a life
The most dangerous place for kids? Home.
It may come as a surprise, but 40% of drownings in children under five happen in backyard pools, and another 27% in the bathtub.
Add to that the fact that 45% of all child injuries requiring hospital treatment occur at home, and it’s clear that the home isn’t always the safest place.
Falls and accidents with everyday objects can turn serious in seconds. For infants, choking and suffocation are among the leading causes of hospitalisation. Yet despite the risks, most families are not first aid ready.
Be first aid ready
Although awareness around the importance of CPR continues to grow, many parents still fall behind when it comes to taking action.
In fact, only one in four parents update their lifesaving skills each year, and this number has remained stubbornly low for over a decade.
“We’re seeing the same story year after year – parents understand that CPR and first aid are important, but they’re not acting on that knowledge,” says Royal Life Saving Society WA Senior Manager – Research, Media and Communications, Lauren Nimmo.
“Emergencies unfold in seconds, and without basic skills, parents can be left helpless in those critical first moments. The Heart Beat Club is designed to break down barriers – it’s free, takes just one hour, and could save a life.”
What is the Heart Beat Club?
The Heart Beat Club is an easy, free way for parents and carers to upgrade their lifesaving skills. The online course is:
- Completely free
- Self-paced and flexible
- Specifically designed for parents and carers of babies and young children
- Just one hour to complete
It covers CPR, choking, burns, scalds, shock, bleeding, and other first aid essentials – all with parents in mind.
“Most people think drowning happens at the beach or on holidays – but the biggest danger for children is right in your own home,” says Laurie Lawrence, founder of Kids Alive.
“And when things go wrong, it’s usually a family member that needs to step in and do something to help. The only thing that can buy you time and improve the chances of survival is CPR.”
Refresh your first aid skills
Even parents who’ve done first aid training in the past may not realise how quickly those skills disappear.
“The issue is resuscitation and first aid knowledge significantly fades within 3–6 months, yet most parents don’t update their training for years – if ever. We want parents and carers to stop being complacent and be prepared should the worst happen. It could just save your child’s life,” says Laurie.
The Heart Beat Club’s online CPR and first aid course is free
Joining Heart Beat Club is simple. Just visit kidsalive.com.au or royallifesavingwa.com.au to get started.
While the online course is a great refresher, families are also encouraged to build on their knowledge by attending an in-person training session.
Learning first aid doesn’t have to be hard, expensive, or time-consuming – but it can be lifesaving.
