01/02/2026
I’ve been a wilderness first aider for over 20 years.
When my son was stung by a jellyfish at the beach recently, I took a photo and sent it to ChatGPT to help identify it and double-check what to do.
I felt a brief flicker of embarrassment about that.
Then I realised this wasn’t about lack of knowledge.
It was a this-is-my-child moment.
Every three years, wilderness first aiders turn up to re-certify. Not just to tick a box, but to practise, refresh, and step back into scenarios that remind us what it feels like under pressure.
Just as importantly, we share stories.
We learn from each other’s lived experience. What actually happened in the field. What we missed. What surprised us. What changed our practice. That learning sits alongside the hours of hands-on scenarios and decision-making.
Some knowledge sticks because it’s lived.
After having acute appendicitis myself, I don’t just “know” about red flags like rebound tenderness. I understand, in my body, why that matters.
With bluebottle stings, experience and shared learning have taught me what helps.
Hot water immersion.
Not vinegar.
Not pressure immobilisation.
So in that moment on the beach, I wasn’t trying to be impressive or rely on memory alone. I stayed calm, used the tools available, and prioritised safety.
Good practice isn’t about certainty.
It’s about care, humility, shared learning, and being willing to check when it matters.
