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I’ve taught first aid in a lot of places. Boardrooms, community halls, tents, aircraft hangars, and garages, once under the watchful glass eyes of a mounted deer head named Bruce. Bruce never blinked or said a word. That’s what I call excellent focus. I’ve rocked babies to sleep in my arms, or walked around the room with them trying to get them to sleep, while watching their mama complete her assessment on the mat in front of me. I’ve worked around dogs, toddlers, and at leas

I'm so far behind the whiteboard this week I'm sitting at my computer in the office. Today I'm Office Gail. One of the team that answers the emails, fields the phone calls, and apparently makes videos in between. So when I'm not Teaching Gail, I'm Office Gail or NZQA Gail. And the question that lands in our ears more than any other is: “Which course do I actually need?” So I made a video. Here it is. But if you'd rather read than watch, here’s the simple version. The short an

Every Wednesday I'm going to write something real from the classroom. No tips, no press releases - just honest stories from behind the whiteboard. This week, we're starting with why you should never be afraid to say the wrong thing in class. Spoiler: nobody says worse things than me. "Put your kids under your cars". That's what I said. Out loud. To a room full of adults who had paid money to be there in my first aid class. What I meant was: pop your child manikins under your

Not really March Madness, it's what we call first aid classes for the month of March. Autumn, cooler mornings, shorter days but still enough sunshine to warm the soul. Here's what's coming up in March -> use the button to secure your place.

Summer in Aotearoa is made for road trips !!! The caravan is packed, the chilly bin is full, you've thrown the hammocks in the back, and the jandals are by the door - with no fixed plans except “let’s see where we end up.” That's what memories are made of! Whether you’re heading off in a campervan, caravan, motorhome, or pitching a tent, a little preparation goes a long way in keeping your trip fun, safe, and stress-free. We’ve put together this NZ Camping & Motorhome Safety

Cup Day in Christchurch isn’t Cup Day without the big hats - they’re not just fabulous fashion, they’re also great sun protection! Here are a few more tips to keep your day safe and fun: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate  - alternate water with bubbles to stay fresh all day. Sunscreen + shade  - Canterbury sun is strong, even in November. Look after your mates  - if someone feels faint or collapses, lie them flat, lift their legs, and get help. Call 111 if in doubt  - chest pain, bre

Guy Fawkes Night might sparkle with colour, but it’s also one of the busiest nights of the year for burns, stress, and panicked pets. Whether you’re lighting a few sparklers in the backyard or watching neighbours’ displays, a little preparation keeps everyone safe.💥 And let's not forget, mother nature puts on a pretty good light display herself from time to time. Sunset, taken in Wigram 2017 Guy Fawkes Fireworks First Aid for People Burns & Sparks: Keep a bucket of cool wate

One of the best things about living in Aotearoa | New Zealand is our incredible coastline! In my opinion, the best way to experience it is by kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP). Traveling slowly and quietly lets you get close to wildlife and enjoy some of the most breathtaking views. Doing this safely is key to having a fun and enjoyable day out! Whether you’re kayak fishing, training for the Coast to Coast, or just enjoying a SUP on Cass Bay with your whānau, here are some

Meet Alicia, our calm and capable office superstar (and yes, she’s part of the family too! Vicky’s niece 💛). If you’ve rung the office or emailed us lately, chances are you’ve already chatted with her. Alicia keeps our courses, tutors, and admin flowing smoothly, on a "help-we-need-you" basis. All while juggling life as a busy mum and Studio Co-ordinator at Zion Studios the hip hop dance school just down the hall from us! We asked Alicia a few questions. My name is Alicia, a

Knocked out tooth, first aid Accidents happen a lot in our family. Is that because of the sex of the offspring (all boys)? Or is it more about their wild, adventurous souls? I suspect the latter. So it wasn’t entirely  surprising when the youngest managed to fall onto another person’s knee while jumping on the trampoline some time ago. Although, it was a bit unexpected to see one tooth pushed up into the gum and another out of the socket. Now I'm running the first aid files i

Meet the Coastguard Volunteer Who Teaches Our First Aid Courses If you’ve ever joined one of our first aid courses in Christchurch, Hanmer or Kaikōura, you’ve probably met Yvonne. She’s another long-standing member of the CFA whānau and brings a practical, real-world approach to her teaching. She brings calm wherever she goes, matched with quick wit and genuine care for people. After 12 years on our team, Yvonne is one of our anchors - steady, kind, and deeply respected by e

Earlier this year, we had what I now call “The Great Steak Incident.” You know where this is going, right?! Mike decided to cook himself a big, fat, juicy steak. The oil was shimmering, the pan was hot, and everything was going perfectly - right up until he threw the steak into the pan like it was a discus. You can probably guess what happened next. Hot oil met bare hand, and the kitchen briefly turned into a bubbly pseudo-fireworks display. Most people would have dropped the

Gail – The Heart and Hands of CFA Writing a “Meet the Team” post is never easy when it’s about yourself—so we’ve taken the pen from Gail this time to celebrate someone who truly deserves it. Gail has been a steady presence in our CFA whānau—the longest-serving member of our team—and it’s hard to imagine the place without her. If you could picture a well-worn, dependable glove, that’s Gail. Not ordinary, but everywhere —teaching, guiding, supporting—with warmth, purpose, and c

You’d think after all these years of cycling, he’d see a curb coming. But no!!! One moment he’s cruising, the next he’s performing a spectacular over-the-handlebars stunt worthy of Cirque du Soleil. He landed squarely on his kneecap. By the time he’d got himself home, his knee was the size of a grapefruit. So, like any good first aid household, we went straight for the frozen peas — basically permanent residents in our freezer. Perfect for sprains, bumps, and  dinner emergenc

We’re excited to introduce Jodie, the newest member of our City First Aid teaching team! With a background in emergency nursing and a love for adventure sports like mountain biking, Jodie brings both expertise and energy to the classroom. At CFA, we’re proud to be homegrown at the core — with Vicky and Brian, both born and raised right here in Aotearoa. They’ve travelled widely for work, service, and adventure, yet their Kiwi roots remain a steady foundation for our team. The

Usually when I (Gail) say “What’s my husband done now?”  you'd be expecting to hear about his ongoing battle with spatial awareness, resulting in another bleeding bit, head bump or missing part to contend with. But sometimes what he’s done now - is gone quiet. Depression can look like nothing’s wrong: just a man sitting, or sleeping, or staring at a screen more. But as a wife, you learn the signs. The stillness. The pull-back. The moments where his spark dulls, and your heart

Illustration of CPR compressions, anyone can step up to save a life. Every October, City First Aid Training joins the world in marking...

Why head injury First Aid for Home? Mike is a tall man. But he married a short woman. Short women don’t understand the everyday dangers tall men face… doorframes, car boots, cupboard corners. He’s even managed to bang his head while lying down. Still, we do appreciate them for their light bulb changing ability, clearing the ceiling cobwebs, and hiding the kids’ Christmas presents. The downside of being tall? He bangs his head. A lot. We’ve had the head-shaking knocks, the car

​ At City First Aid in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, family is truly at the heart of what we do .   Alongside founders Brian and Vicky, the wider wh ā nau also play a vital role behind the scenes. David and his wife Jodi bring their skills, energy, and values to the team, strengthening CFA as a genuine family-run, values-based company delivering first aid training across Canterbury and beyond. Meet Jodi ​ - Accounts & Finance Jodi is our quiet powerhouse in the accounts space, kee

Nick is our outdoor guru and soon-to-be pilot Nick joined us in 2024 and quickly became part of the wh ā nau. We asked him a few questions so you can get to know him too! What’s your role at City First Aid ? I am primarily a tutor at CFA, heading out around Christchurch, meeting nice people and sharing first aid knowledge with them! I also help out with some of the admin in the background, such as the website and e-learning. How long have you been with the team? I have been p