Taxi drivers to receive lifesaving first aid skills

At least one taxi passenger a week will require urgent first aid while en route to their chosen destination. As a result, 13CABS is providing their drivers with sufficient knowledge and confidence to be the first responder when an incident arises.

The new online Introduction to First Aid (IFA) awareness course which has been launched by St John Ambulance Victoria will equip more than 11,000 existing Melbourne cab drivers with basic first aid skills including:

• First steps to take in an emergency
• How to respond to fainting or an unconscious passenger
• How to treat sprains and strains as well as wounds and burns
• What to do if a passenger is choking

The IFA awareness course will be included in all new driver training and provided to all existing 13CABS drivers .

13CABS COO Stuart Overell said the most common first aid incidents experienced by passengers are falls, breathing difficulties and fainting.

“Our drivers are regularly faced with situations in which passengers become sick or injured, or have overindulged on a night out and require first aid,” said Overell.

“Equipping our drivers with these lifesaving skills is part of our long-term commitment to our passengers and to the Victorian community.”

The online IFA awareness course is now available to all businesses across Victoria and is recommended for businesses with a large employee and customer base. The course is particularly relevant to retail, hospitality and tourism.

St John Ambulance Victoria CEO Stephen Horton said the course is quick, simple and a cost-effective way for businesses to equip employees with the basic lifesaving skills to respond in a wide range of emergency situations that may affect staff, patrons or customers.

“We’ve specifically designed this course for businesses so their staff can access first aid training anytime and anywhere,” said Horton.

“How you respond in the first five minutes following an incident can critically change its outcome. The new IFA awareness course will equip employees to act quickly, and we’re proud to be working with 13CABS to help improve the safety of their passengers.”

Horton said St John is calling for all employers to follow 13CABS’ lead and include the 60-minute, IFA awareness course in workplace induction programs.

“The development of the IFA awareness course is another step towards our goal of making first aid a part of everyone’s life. This course will equip employees with valuable life skills that can be applied both in and out of the workplace,” he said. 

For businesses committed to workplace and/or community safety, the IFA awareness course starts the first aid certification process by providing basic awareness which will be enhanced by face-to-face training from St John.