Two leading Queensland aeromedical organisations have joined forces to encourage Capricorn region communities to learn free, lifesaving skills to help in a medical emergency.
CapRescue is teaming up with LifeFlight to deliver First Minutes Matter — a free trauma training program designed to build community resilience and strengthen chain-of-survival skills.
The program was developed by LifeFlight’s critical care doctors, who regularly serve the region onboard CapRescue aircraft and have seen first-hand how early intervention can make a crucial difference to patient outcomes.
This year, almost 70 workshops have already been delivered across Queensland, with a goal of reaching 450 communities by 2026. Through this new partnership, even more people across Central Queensland will have the opportunity to learn practical, lifesaving skills.
During a First Minutes Matter workshop, participants are guided through hands-on techniques to manage life-threatening situations such as car crashes, farming accidents, snake bites and strokes.
LifeFlight Senior Medical Educator Leah Harrison said that in rural and remote areas, help can sometimes be further away — making those first minutes even more important.
“It’s important for everyone to know skills that can save a life in the minutes before specialist care arrives,” Ms Harrison said.
“No one should have to face the situation of being the first family member or bystander at an incident and not know how to help.
“CapRescue is a prominent and trusted medical service in the region, and their support to deliver First Minutes Matter workshops will help us reach more communities and build stronger connections.”
CapRescue provides lifesaving, around-the-clock aeromedical care at no cost to patients — where and when it’s needed most.
“Supporting initiatives like First Minutes Matter aligns perfectly with CapRescue’s commitment to improving emergency outcomes across Central Queensland,” said CapRescue CEO Darren Pirie.
“When someone is seriously injured, those first minutes can be critical — and knowing what to do before specialist care arrives can make all the difference.
“We’ve had communities reach out asking for exactly this kind of support — practical training and information on what they can do while they wait for us to arrive.
“This partnership also allows us to connect with more parts of our region by providing lifesaving skills that could make all the difference in an emergency.”