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One of the things we enjoy about our Behind the Whiteboard series is sharing the experiences and observations that sit behind the teaching. This week, Nick explores some of the less obvious risks that come with winter adventures and the simple steps that can make a big difference when things don't go to plan. Winter Sports Injuries: Staying Safe in the Snow By Nick Howard I still remember one of my first proper winter walks. We stopped for lunch, and my friend pulled out her

In our beautiful country of Aotearoa New Zealand, the winter months can bring with them some sights that take your breath away. On a recent trip to Tekapo and Aoraki Mt Cook, with crisp winter mornings and late autumn colour, I got to experience some of this breathtaking scenery. Unfortunately, as we head into the winter months, there are also less pleasant things that can take our breath away. A selection of respiratory bugs and nasties come out to play as we hunker down aro

I (Jodie) remember one hike where the day started with clear blue skies and only a light breeze. Despite checking the forecast before heading out, low cloud rolled in, the wind picked up, and a steady rain soon followed. Even though I wasn't far from shelter, I was surprised by how quickly I went from feeling comfortable to feeling cold and miserable. My mindset shifted from taking in the scenery to simply staying warm. I found myself walking faster, hunching my shoulders aga

This morning I woke up to my alarm. That doesn't happen very often. Most mornings I'm awake before it starts playing its cheerful little tune, but today, it won. Once I slid it to off, I started thinking about alarms in general. Some alarms are urgent. The smoke alarm going off in the middle of the night definitely gets my attention. Others are much gentler. A reminder that it's time to leave for an appointment, pick up a granddaughter, or a dinner reservation with my sweethe

Small Ones. Big Questions. There is something uniquely vulnerable about being responsible for a tiny human. Not just because babies and children can become sick quickly, but because parenting is often carried out while exhausted, overstimulated, second-guessing yourself, and trying to make decisions under pressure when your brain went to bed 4 hours ago. Add conflicting advice, social media panic, and well-meaning opinions from everyone around you, and it can feel overwhelmin

I can't count how many times we've heard this same story, before class and during class, in private and out in the open. "I can't do exams. They make me freeze, or I can't read, or I have dyslexia." Even within my own family some became the class clown, because being funny and getting sent out was easier than failing. So many carry that same fear and bring it along to first aid training. We get it. We understand and have been there too. That fear is why we are so relieved tha

Well, here we are - definitely in autumn, but still waiting for summer to arrive. It’s warm and cosy in the classroom, so come hang out and learn some life-saving skills while you’re there. Be sure to check out our April classes. We’d love to see you.

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 week I'm going to write something real from the classroom. Not just tips, not just 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. There are no dumb questions. You probably aren't asking something we haven't been asked before.... come, ask, find out, be curious...it's okay of you mess up...Spoiler: nobody says worse things than me. "Put your kids under your ca

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. It would be 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, purp