Emergcare

We deliver high quality, flexible, affordable first aid education within the Royal Children’s Hospital (Melbourne) and wider community.

Our training is facilitated by experienced health professionals and aligned with ARC and COPE National Guidelines.

10/09/2025

R U OK? Day: Not All Emergencies Are Loud

We train parents and carers to respond in moments of crisis... choking, bleeding, burns.

But what about the emergencies you can’t see?
The quiet ones.
The “I’m fine” ones.
The ones that hide behind school drop-offs, packed lunches, Zoom calls and “busy”.

So today on R U OK? Day, we want to remind you:
🟡 Not every emergency needs sirens.
🟡 Not every save involves CPR.
🟡 Sometimes the most life-changing response starts with 3 words: "Are you okay?"

And if the answer is no... stay. Listen. Don't rush to fix it. Just like physical first aid, it’s not about having the perfect response. It’s about being there, holding space, and knowing help is available.

Today isn’t just about asking the question. It’s about meaning it. Hearing it. And being someone’s calm in the chaos.

06/09/2025

We’re two dads who take safety seriously, but never ourselves.

So here’s a very official Dad Joke to mark the occasion:

🛠️ Why are dads great at CPR?
Because they’ve been reviving dead jokes for decades.

To all the dads, bonus dads, stepdads and legends who can never find the Panadol even though it’s staring you in the face, this day is all about you!

Happy Father’s Day from the Emergcare crew. 🧡

01/09/2025

It’s National Asthma Week!

Which means it’s time to dust off your action plans and check those puffers aren’t expired.

Asthma affects 1 in 9 Australians and it’s one of the most common reasons kids end up in hospital.

But here’s the good news:
When you know what to do (and act early), you can stay ahead of an asthma flare-up, not just react to one.

Quick tips from the Emergcare team:
✔️ Make sure your child’s asthma action plan is up to date
✔️ Teach older kids how to use their spacer (properly!)
✔️ Know the signs of worsening asthma: coughing, wheezing, fast breathing, lethargy
✔️ Always follow the 4x4x4 rule for asthma first aid (4 puffs, 4 breaths, 4 minutes)

And remember: if your child is struggling to speak in full sentences, using tummy muscles to breathe, or not improving after reliever meds, that’s a 000 situation.

This Asthma Week, let’s take a deep breath… and make sure we’re all ready for whatever this allergy season brings.

27/08/2025

Today is Red Nose Day - a day to pause and remember the little lives lost too soon.

We hold space for every family who has experienced unimaginable loss.

Red Nose Day is also about hope - the kind that comes from progress. Ongoing research, greater awareness, and community support have all contributed to reducing SIDS and other sudden, unexpected deaths in infancy.

And it's about action. By empowering parents with lifesaving education and skills, we continue to honour those lives by working towards a safer future for all children.

▪️ Since the 1990s, SIDS rates have dropped by over 85% thanks to organisations like Red Nose Australia.
▪️ Safer sleep practices save lives.
▪️ Knowing infant first aid builds confidence for those “what if” moments.

At Emergcare, we’re proud to be part of that safer future, teaching parents not just first aid, but prevention, awareness, and confidence.

So this Red Nose Day, wear the red nose. Start the conversation. Learn something that could save a life. And support the work that continues to make a difference.

26/08/2025

Meet Us! Hendrik (on the left) and Daniel (on the right). We’re the directors of Emergcare, long-time paramedics… and full-time dads who know exactly what life with little humans looks like.

Yes, we’ve treated trauma, responded to triple zero calls, and taught thousands of parents how to save a life but we have also stepped on Lego barefoot, negotiated with toddlers at bedtime, and survived a birthday party at a trampoline park (just).

This is your reminder that as the people teaching you first aid...
We don’t just talk the talk.
We’ve lived the chaos, changed nappies in public toilets, and become worried when one of our kids has developed a weird looking rash.

We get it because we’ve been there.
That’s why our courses aren’t scary or clinical.
They’re real, practical, and built with your kind of chaos in mind.

22/08/2025

5 First Aid Facts Every Aussie Parent Should Know (but most don’t) 👇🏼

Let’s break it down:

1️⃣ Only 1 in 4 Aussie parents have done a paediatric first aid course. That means most are winging it, and emergencies aren’t the time for guesswork.

2️⃣ Choking is one of the leading causes of accidental death in kids under 5 - Grapes, sausages, popcorn. Cute snacks, big risk if you don’t know what to do.

3️⃣ 60% of burns in kids under 4 happen in the kitchen...usually with an adult right there.

4️⃣ Falls are the #1 reason kids under 15 end up in the emergency department. Monkey bars, beds, trampolines — take your pick.

5️⃣ Most parents freeze in an emergency, not because they don’t care, but because they don’t feel prepared. Training changes that.

At Emergcare, we don’t just tick boxes. We teach the stuff that makes you feel calm, capable, and ready when it really counts.
Ready to be the 1 in 4 who do know what to do?

📍Melbourne. Sydney. Online. Courses running now.

16/08/2025

Fever in kids is common. Really common. But knowing when to ride it out at home and when to call the doctor makes all the difference.

✅ 38–39°C? Mild to moderate. Keep them comfy, offer plenty of fluids, and keep a close eye on how they’re feeling.
✅ 39–40°C? High. Monitor them closely. If they’re unsettled, in pain, or not improving, check in with your GP.
✅ Over 40°C? Very high. Time to get medical advice.
✅ Under 3 months old with a temp over 38°C? Don’t wait...seek medical help straight away.

And remember:

You don’t need to panic. Just pay attention. A calm parent with the right info beats a 2am Google search every single time.

Want to feel confident managing fevers, burns, choking and everything in between?

That’s exactly what our first aid courses are for.

07/08/2025

When your child gets a bite or a mysterious lump or bump, grab a pen and draw a line around the edge.

Why?

Because in a few hours, you’ll be squinting at it thinking:
“Has it grown? Is it the same? Are we imagining things?”

The marker trick makes it easy to track:
✅ Bites: Watch for spreading redness or swelling
✅ Bumps: See if it’s getting bigger or going down

Simple. Smart. Way more effective than just poking it every hour and debating whether to call the GP.

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but it helps to have a Sharpie.

**If the bite area gets worse, book in to see your GP. If you notice any signs of a severe allergic reaction, call triple zero (000) or get medical help straight away.

04/08/2025

Huge shoutout to all the legends who joined us at our recent first aid sessions.

You came armed with questions, caffeinated, a little bit nervous and left as parents and carers who know exactly what to do when the unexpected happens.

Burns? Choking? Fevers that spike at 2am?
Consider yourselves ready.

Thinking it might be your turn next?

Here are our upcoming dates (come hang out and learn the stuff you’ll never regret knowing):

📍 Melbourne: 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th August
📍 Sydney: 24th August
💻 Online: 21st August

Grab your spot before they go: https://www.emergcare.com.au/courses/paediatric-infant-cpr-course/

31/07/2025

Blisters, rashes, cranky kids and cancelled plans... if you know, you really know.

Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease spreads faster than playground gossip and usually hits the under-5s hard.

Here’s what parents need to know:
👣 It’s not serious for most kids, but it is seriously contagious
💧Keep fluids up (icy poles for the win)
🏡 Keep them home until the rash dries and they're feeling better
🧴 Wash everything: hands, toys, towels, your sanity
🚫 It’s a virus, so antibiotics won’t help
😓 And yes, you can catch it too (sorry)

Pro tip from the paramedics: Keep an eye out for signs of dehydration, high fever, or if your child refuses to drink as that’s when it’s time to call your GP.

In the meantime, hang in there. You’re doing better than you think.

(*Medical source: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease)

29/07/2025

👃 Blood noses and kids...name a more iconic duo. They happen at the worst times: school drop-off, bedtime, the second you sit down with a coffee.

So here’s a quick refresher, because most of us were taught exactly the wrong thing:

🚫 DON’T tilt the head back.
This can cause blood to run down the throat (and lead to coughing, gagging, or vomiting).

✅ DO tilt the head slightly forward.
👃Pinch the soft part of the nose (just below the bridge) for 10 minutes without peeking.
🧊In the past, people used to place an ice pack on the back of the neck or a cold cloth, but there’s actually no evidence to support that this helps. What we now suggest is placing an ice pole (icy pole) in the child’s mouth, as this can help in around 30 percent of cases. The cold helps shrink the blood vessels in the roof of the mouth. These blood vessels are connected to the nose, so cooling them can help slow down the bleeding.
💧 Stay calm, reassure your child, and grab a cold cloth for the back of their neck if it helps them settle.

Seek medical help if:
🔸 Bleeding doesn’t stop after 20 minutes
🔸 It’s very heavy
🔸 It happens after a head injury

Little noses are delicate and a lot of blood can look dramatic but with the right first aid, most nosebleeds are nothing to panic about.

💛 Knowledge over panic, every time.

24/07/2025

Bleeding tip you’ll never forget:
Use a red towel instead of a white one. 🩸
Why?

Because when someone’s bleeding (especially your child), seeing a white towel turn bright red can make panic escalate fast.

A red towel helps reduce the visual shock, keeping you calmer and more focused on what matters: applying firm pressure and stopping the bleed.

This small swap can make a big difference in how you respond in the moment. Keep one in your bathroom, your car, or even in your first aid kit.

Practical & smart. That’s how we teach first aid at Emergcare. 💛

Address

Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road
Parkville, VIC
3010

Website

http://www.emergcare.com.au/

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