Survival starts on the ground, in the first minutes after an incident. It’s about knowing what to do while emergency services are on the way.
First Minutes Matter is a LifeFlight program that helps people recognise and respond to medical emergencies before paramedics or emergency services arrive. Every session is designed to give you simple actions you can take immediately, because early intervention can make a real difference. The training is free, needs no prior experience, and is available in person at a workshop or online at your own pace.
When someone is seriously hurt, the first person at the scene is usually a family member, a workmate or a neighbour. It could even be a stranger. The first help they give in those early minutes can often make all the difference to the patient’s outcome by the time our crews, or other emergency services, arrive at the scene. First Minutes Matter is community first responders training for those people: practical, real-world emergency response skills that help communities feel prepared and capable. When it comes to survival, we all have a part to play.
The standard course covering personal, road and aircraft safety, burns, bleeding, snake bites, airways, seizures, strokes and febrile convulsions, CPR and AEDs, emergency equipment and wellbeing. Attend a public workshop or host one for your group.
Little Lives Matter is focused on paediatric emergencies and trauma involving infants and children. Participants gain practical knowledge and confidence to recognise and respond to common childhood emergencies, including serious injury, breathing emergencies, choking, drowning incidents, and medical emergencies.
Ocean Response focuses on recognising and responding to emergencies in aquatic and coastal environments. Participants learn how to safely manage incidents such as drowning, near-drowning, marine injuries, trauma, and emergency response in remote or challenging coastal locations while awaiting professional help.
Farm Response prepares participants to confidently recognise and respond to emergencies and serious injuries in farming and agricultural environments. Participants gain practical skills to manage incidents including machinery accidents, tractor rollovers, animal-related injuries, falls, and providing care until help arrives.
Road Response prepares participants to recognise and respond to emergencies and serious injuries on Queensland roads, particularly in rural and remote areas where help can be a long way off. Participants gain practical skills to manage incidents including vehicle crashes, scene safety around traffic, bleeding, airway management and caring for injured people until help arrives.
Core topics in the standard course:
Content can be tailored or extended for groups.
First Minutes Matter draws on the experience of LifeFlight’s critical care doctors, paramedics and nurses, who shaped the program around the emergencies they respond to. Every session is led by a qualified medical educator and is hands-on, built around real-life scenarios and designed for everyday people.
Towns, clubs, schools, workplaces and community groups can host a free First Minutes Matter workshop. No account is needed. Tell us about your community, and we will work with you on a date and venue.
Hosting a workshop is free. Sponsors help us bring First Minutes Matter to more communities. We are proud and thankful for the support from our sponsors and partners who help us to deliver the highest standard of care. Their dedication and generosity help us shape the future of emergency aeromedicine and rescue. Thank you to Evolution Mining and Cubico.
Interested in sponsoring future workshops? Enquire today.
When Clive suffered an auger injury on his farm at Mondure, his neighbour controlled the bleeding while his son called Triple Zero (000), then together they applied a tourniquet, ultimately saving Clive’s life. His LifeFlight critical care doctor, Dr Bundock, said. “Their ability to think clearly in that minute and step up when they were needed is why Clive’s back on the farm today.” The Mondure community has since run a First Minutes Matter course, with more planned.
Yes. Both the in-person workshops and the online course are free, funded by LifeFlight supporters and the sponsors and partners who help us deliver them.
No. It is emergency trauma training focused on the first minutes after a serious incident. You receive a certificate of participation on completion. It may sit alongside any first aid course your workplace requires.
The online course takes approximately 3 to 4 hours and is self-paced, with a login to return. A standard workshop runs for around 5 to 6 hours. Tailored workshops vary in length, and some run for as little as two hours.
No. Bring what you would normally leave the house with. Workshops are not catered, so we suggest bringing a snack, especially if your workshop is a couple of hours.
Places are limited, so express your interest before the workshop date so the team can check there is room, or ask your friend to register their own place.
Yes. Little Lives Matter is the First Minutes Matter course for paediatric emergencies.
Call Triple Zero (000) first, then follow the operator’s instructions. First Minutes Matter teaches you what to do while you wait; it never replaces calling for help.
Host a workshop, attend a listed workshop or learn online.
In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).
