Caravanning and camping throughout WA is an incredible way to explore our beautiful state. A little preparation can go a long way in ensuring you enjoy the freedom and adventure it brings while being well-prepared for the unexpected.
Before you head out on the open road, our Community Partner, St John WA, has put together an essential first aid and health checklist to help plan a safe and enjoyable trip – wherever your travels may take you.
Be prepared: essential first aid and health checks
The unexpected can happen in the outdoors – a burn from the campfire, a nasty fall, snake bite or even a sudden cardiac arrest. In these moments, having the right first aid supplies and knowing how to use them can make all the difference.
- Check, replenish and review your first aid kit needs:
- Ensure you have a well-stocked first aid kit.
- A good first aid kit should include:
✔ Bandages, antiseptics, and wound dressings
✔ Emergency thermal blankets and burn treatments
✔ Snake bite kits (especially in remote areas)
✔ A basic first aid manual
-
- Tailor your kit to your adventure – hiking, camping, or beach trips may require different medical supplies.
- Check for expired items before each trip and restock accordingly.
- Know the first aid essentials:
-
- Consider completing a First Aid course before your trip.
- St John WA offers courses focused on children’s first aid, basic first aid, and even quick 15-minute free online First Aid for Me refreshers.
- For parents travelling with young children, knowing CPR, choking management, and how to treat burns and other common injuries, can help provide peace of mind and essential skills in emergencies.
- Download the St John WA First Responder App:
This free app provides access to first aid guides, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) locations across WA, and even allows you to register as a Community First Responder (CFR) to help others in need.
- Consider carrying an AED – lifesaving equipment out on the road:
- Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. This is where an AED can mean the difference between life and death.
- Sudden cardiac arrest survival rates increase almost three-fold when an AED is used promptly.
- Portable AEDs are lightweight, compact, and ideal for travel, making them perfect for caravans and motorhomes.
- Medical check-ups – check your general health before you travel:
Ensuring you’re up to date with general health checks can help reduce the need for care on the road.
-
- Before extended travel, schedule routine check-ups with your GP, dentist, and optometrist to prevent unexpected health issues on the road. St John WA has six dental, GP and urgent care centres that can help with routine and annual health checks.
- Ensure you have enough prescription medications and a copy of your medical history in case of emergencies.
This checklist is designed to help with your travel preparedness for safe adventures in our stunning State. In an emergency, always dial Triple Zero (000) or use the St John First Responder app to call 000 to help pinpoint your exact location through GPS tracking.
To find out more about which first aid kit, equipment and training is right for your outdoor adventure, visit St John WA at Stand 351 at this year’s Perth Caravan and Camping Show to take advantage of special show product offers or visit them online at stjohn.wa.com.au
