St John WA - Bridgetown

10/01/2026

After attending a snake bite this week I figured it was time to remind people on the first aid for a snake bite.

First aid for a snake bite
If someone has been bitten by a snake, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
If they are unconscious or lose consciousness at any time, follow the DRSABCD Action Plan.

Step 1: Lay them down
Ask them to lay down (on their back) and remain still. This will slow the spread of poison
Keep calm and reassure them

Step 2: Bandage the bite site
Firmly bandage the bite site directly with a compression bandage. This is called the pressure immobilisation method
You do not need to remove cloths
If there aren't bandages available, use clothing or towels
Avoid wrapping too tight to cause numbness, tingling or any colour change to the limb, toes or fingers
Clip the end of the bandage or tuck it underneath the final loop

Step 3: If bitten on a limb, apply a second bandage
If the bite is on a limb, apply a firm compression bandage starting just above the fingers or toes
Wrap the bandage upwards on the limb as far as you can
Avoid wrapping too tight to cause numbness, tingling or any colour change to the limb, toes or fingers
Clip the end of the bandage or tuck it underneath the final loop
Mark the bite site on the bandage

Step 4: Apply a splint if bitten on a limb
If you have a splint board, tie it at the ankle, then above and below the knee. If the bite is on the arm, then place it underneath the forearm
If the bite is on the leg, splint by placing the legs together and tie them to each other with bandages. Once below the knees and again at the ankles
If the bite is on the arm, make a splint and place it underneath the forearm. Then, tie or tape it to the arm at the wrist and just below the elbow. Place in a sling
If you don't have bandages for tying, you can use long bits of fabric such as a t-shirt or towel

Step 4: Monitor symptoms
If they become cold, cover them with a blanket, towel or clothes
Write down the time of the bite and when you finished bandaging. This will assist medical help later
Check circulation by squeezing the edge of the big toe or thumb for 3 seconds. Release and check if the colour returns - it should return within 2 seconds

What not to do
Use tourniquets
Cut the bite site or try to suck out the venom
Give them alcohol
Wash the skin - this helps to identify venom
Give food or drink
Try and catch the snake, spider, insect or sea creature

The snake bandages are available from our office during business hours 9-3 Monday - Thursday.

09/01/2026

🚑 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 🚑
St John Ambulance – Bridgetown
Do you want to give back to your community and be part of something meaningful?
St John Ambulance Bridgetown is looking for new volunteers to join our team.
💛 Why volunteer?
✔ Serve your community
✔ Learn valuable life-saving skills
✔ Be part of a great team
✔ Experience a truly rewarding role
We provide training and support — no experience needed, just a willingness to help.
📍 You can help at:
• Local events
• Community activities
• Emergencies and transfers and first aid support
🙌 Your community needs you!
Join St John Ambulance Bridgetown today and make a real difference.

In your role as a volunteer first aider with Event Health Services, you will be trained to provide first aid at events throughout the Perth metro area. Our Event Health Services provide volunteer first aid posts at a wide array of weekday and weekend events like the Avon Descent, Sky Works and annua...

05/01/2026

The Volunteer Ambulance Officers you see around town. They are your neighbours and your friends, there for you when times are tough. Your community looks after you. And now you have the chance to give back.
Volunteering for St John WA is an unforgettable experience. One that makes you feel a sense of belonging, a sense of place, a sense of worth. Not for money or recognition, but for that special feeling you get when you lend a helping hand.
Is this you?
Are you interested in clinical volunteer work?
Are you over the age of 18 and able to work in a professional workplace?
Are you friendly with a strong desire to help others?
Do you enjoy working in a team?
Are you physically able to perform CPR?
Have time to volunteer and attend training sessions?

If this sounds like you then please follow the below link and you can start the application process today.

In your role as a volunteer first aider with Event Health Services, you will be trained to provide first aid at events throughout the Perth metro area. Our Event Health Services provide volunteer first aid posts at a wide array of weekday and weekend events like the Avon Descent, Sky Works and annua...

05/01/2026

Safe following distance

A safe following distance depends on your speed, driving conditions and the type of vehicle you are driving. In good conditions, you should drive at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you.

To determine the two seconds – watch the vehicle in front as it passes a landmark, such as a tree, sign, power pole or overpass. As it passes the landmark, start counting ‘one thousand and one, one thousand and two’ (this takes about two seconds). If you pass the same landmark before you finish counting to two seconds, you’re too close.

It is important to increase your following distance if the weather or road conditions are poor, if you’re driving a heavy vehicle or towing a trailer.

Headlights

�High beam headlights are not permitted:
If you’re driving less than 200m behind a vehicle.
If an oncoming vehicle is less than 200m away.


In wet, or poor visibility conditions

Turn on your headlights (even if you have daytime running lights which turn on automatically) and remember to check your lights are on in periods or areas of low visibility.
Use your windscreen demister to stop the windscreen from fogging up.


In foggy conditions

Drive slowly.
Turn on windshield wipers.
Don’t use high beam headlights.


Fog lights can be used in foggy conditions, dust storms or heavy rain. But do not drive with both headlights and fog lights on at the same time.

04/01/2026

If an emergency vehicle has blue or red flashing lights and/or is sounding an alarm, you MUST try your best to clear the way to let it easily pass. Emergency vehicles include police, fire and ambulance services.

As a general rule, when an emergency vehicle is approaching you should:

Stay calm and check to see where the vehicle is.
Give way to the emergency vehicle by moving as far to the left of the road as possible.
Use your indicator to signal your intentions to the driver of the emergency vehicle and other road users.
If you can’t move into the left lane, slow down, indicate left and let the emergency vehicle drive around you.
If you are in the left lane, allow other vehicles from the adjacent lane to move into your lane if it is safe to do so.
Don’t break the law by speeding, driving through a red light or any other illegal action
When you are approaching a stationary emergency vehicle:

The Slow Down, Move Over or SLOMO law applies to all emergency service vehicles and first response personnel who need to attend to roadside incidents in Western Australia, including:

WA Police Force vehicles;
Department of Fire and Emergency Services vehicles;
St John Ambulances;
RAC roadside assistance patrol vehicles and other breakdown services;
Main Roads Incident Response vehicles (which assist in the removal of broken-down vehicles and debris); and
Tow trucks.


Flashing lights on a stationary vehicle means you MUST slow down, move over (if possible) and pass at no more than 40 km/h. In doing so, you should apply your brakes gradually and safely.

This applies to drivers in all lanes that travel in the same direction as the lane where the emergency or response vehicle is stopped. Vehicles travelling in oncoming traffic from the other direction only need to slow if the incident occurred in the middle of the road or in the medium strip.

SLOMO applies on all roads in WA, including freeways and highways.

Let’s look after those who look after us.

30/12/2025

🥳 Countdown to midnight, Bridgetown! 🎆

As the fireworks light up the sky, we wish everyone a happy and safe New Year.
Enjoy the celebrations, take care of your mates and get home safely. Play safe to stay safe.
A huge thank you to our St John Ambulance Bridgetown volunteers who proudly serve the Bridgetown community.

28/12/2025

Volunteering with St John Ambulance WA is deeply rewarding and something we are incredibly proud of.
Day and night, our volunteers give their time, their skills, and their hearts to support our community. Whether responding to emergency call-outs or covering transfer rosters, they are always ready — often at a moment’s notice — to help someone on what may be the worst day of their life.

Behind every shift is a volunteer who has chosen service over comfort, sleep, and time with family. Their commitment, compassion, and quiet courage do not go unnoticed. It takes a special kind of person to step forward, to answer the call, and to keep showing up — no matter the hour.

To our St John volunteers: thank you for your dedication, your resilience, and the difference you make every single day and night. Your service truly saves lives and strengthens our community.

23/12/2025

We had a call out last night to Elfie Elfie as he had fallen off the roof. He is a little bit sore today so he will be staying with us at the sub centre so we can keep an eye on him.
If you stop for a look or photo we do ask you to please not block this driveway as it is the exit for our ambulances.
Merry Christmas to you all 🎄

20/12/2025

🎄✨ Our St John Ambulance Bridgetown volunteers are available 24/7, caring for our community throughout the festive season 🎄
Please celebrate safely and look after one another.

19/12/2025

With the weather warming up this is a timely reminder about the Heat vulnerability project -
The below businesses will be available to members of the public to use as a cool space on hot days. Please note this only applies during normal office hours.
Greenbushes C.R.C
Bridgetown C.R.C
Bridgetown Public Library.

Please try to stay hydrated and if you have vulnerable or elderly neighbours just pop in and check on them from time to time. Heat exhaustion can sneak up on anyone.

Need a quick cool down? Here are a few simple tips:
* take a lukewarm to cool shower
* ice packs or cool wet towels on the neck, armpits and groin.
* use a fan
* spray mists of water on your face
* remove excess clothing.

Remember if you feel yourself or someone you know may be suffering from Heat Stroke, call 000 and start to try and cool them down.

17/12/2025

At St John Ambulance Bridgetown, we recently came together to celebrate Christmas with our fabulous volunteers.
Our volunteers give their time around the clock, and this was a chance to pause, celebrate, and enjoy time with family and friends.
We also proudly recognised several volunteers for their dedicated service — a small thank you for the huge contribution they make to our community.
We are incredibly grateful for everything our volunteers do, not just at Christmas, but all year round.
Congratulations to our award winners:
John Steele -
Mike Lauder
Liz Rear
Liv Williams
Trevor Bottomley
Toni Clothier

15/12/2025

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the tragic incident in Bondi.

It’s common to experience distress after a serious or traumatic event. This can happen immediately, or in the days and weeks that follow, and can look different for everyone. If you’re feeling impacted, support is available. You can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.

Information and support resources are available for people affected by emergencies in our Support Guide: https://brnw.ch/21wYm2V