Next Gen Life Beats: Australian Red Cross revives the CPR track for young first aiders

To launch World First Aid Day on Saturday 9th September, Australian Red Cross is urging young Aussies to vote for their favourite ‘chest compression track’ in a bid to encourage the next generation to undertake lifesaving first aid training.

World First Aid Day seeks to raise awareness of the importance of first aid training as a critical skill that can prevent injuries caused by everyday disasters and drastically improve the chances of survival.

Research shows in emergencies, 90 per cent of lives can be saved by ordinary people if they have the right skills in place and confidence to perform first aid. Training for first aid encompasses all aspects of life saving skills from first aid for babies, to mental health first aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) that can mean the difference between life and death.

Australian Red Cross Head of First Aid Training Wendy Greenhalf said this year, under the theme ‘First Aid in the Digital World’, Australian Red Cross is raising awareness of the accessibility of first aid for all ages. Identifying a new ‘CPR song’ is also one way of making first aid relevant to the next generation.

“The digitisation of first aid enables everyone, everywhere, to save lives with the support of vital information accessed via digital tools. With today’s technology, online courses and instructional videos now make it easier for all learning styles - all you need is an internet connection to learn first aid.

“Most adults are familiar with the disco track ‘Staying Alive’ by the Bee Gees. It’s a catchy tune and at 100-120 beats per minute the track’s tempo has been a great way to remind first aiders of the right rhythm for chest compressions, helping it to become second nature.

“After four-decades of the disco classic we’re keen to revive the CPR repertoire, which is why we’ve launched ‘Next Gen Life Beats’ – a campaign that encourages the youth of today to identify a CPR song that appeals to them,” she said.

Having the skills to provide immediate assistance to an ill, injured or emotionally distressed person until professional help arrives can be the difference between life and death in many situations.

Ms Greenhalf said, first aid training is more accessible than ever before, so act now and sign up today to be trained as a first aider.

“First Aid training enables people to walk away with the knowledge and confidence to give appropriate initial support. And thanks to digital technology facilitating flexible delivery modes, everyone can access the same level of First Aid training that Red Cross has been delivering to Australians for nearly 100 years,” she said.

The songs in the running for ‘Next Gen Life Beats’ include:

1. Dua Lipa: Dance the night
2. Harry Styles: Late Night Talking
3. Taylor Swift: The Man
4. Kylie Minogue: Padam Padam

This World First Aid Day visit instagram.com/redcrossau to vote for your favourite Next Gen Life Beats track and sign up to the First Aid Preparedness online course by heading to redcross.org.au/WFAD.

For media inquiries please contact: media@redcross.org.au or 1800 733 443