Published: 24th June 2025.
Last updated: 24th June 2025.
Author: St John Ambulance

 

First aid training doesn’t stop at the workplace – it empowers people to save lives at home, in public, and in moments that matter most. Real-life stories show how timely, confident action can make the difference between life and death anywhere, anytime.

 

A teenager collapses at a bus stop. A cyclist crashes on a quiet country lane. A family member starts choking at dinner.

These are all real-life emergencies, ones that can be sudden and frightening. And the outcomes can vary dramatically, depending on who’s nearby and what they know.

The difference between life and death can hinge on understanding what happens in the first few minutes and how first aid can transform the chances of survival. That’s why first aid knowledge isn’t just a box-ticking exercise for compliance.

Workplace training goes beyond the classroom, giving individuals the confidence to step up at home, in the community or on the street. Whether it’s a trained school first-aider responding in the school playground, or a passer-by helping out in a public place, first aid skills can save lives anywhere.

 

"Without St John, I wouldn’t have known what to do"

“It was truly the most terrifying thing I’ve ever experienced,” says Dylan, a teenager who discovered his mum unconscious and not breathing and was able to save her life with CPR. “Without St John, I would have no clue what I was doing.”

Just weeks after joining St John Ambulance to learn skills to help him care for his mum, Dylan found himself using his first aid training in a real emergency. His story is a powerful reminder that when training is done well, it becomes second nature and can be used at any time.

Being well-trained enough that you respond instinctively really counts in urgent situations. Medical experts often refer to the “golden hour” – the critical window in which rapid response can make the most difference. The sooner help is given, the better the chances of survival and recovery.

In situations like road accidents, sudden falls or cardiac arrest, immediate action is vital. Taking the right steps early – such as controlling bleeding, giving CPR or placing someone in the recovery position – can stabilise a person until more help arrives.

Even a small act, like cooling a burn immediately at a family barbecue, can prevent further complications.

 

From office to home: confidence that carries over

First aid isn’t just for high-risk jobs or factory floors. The training delivered by St John Ambulance helps employees gain confidence to act decisively under pressure. And when people are trained in the workplace, those skills ripple out into homes, families and communities.

And reports show the difference that can be made. Research from the National Institute for Health and Care Research found that first responders often reach patients before ambulances, particularly in serious incidents or in rural areas, providing early support for conditions such as strokes, seizures and heart problems. Their quick arrival can improve response times and, in some areas, has even helped reduce ambulance call-outs, particularly for falls at home.

 

 

You can hear the voice of the trainer in your head

We can all think of situations where we would like to have known more about first aid.

Assistant Headteacher Judith Shackell was in a meeting when she heard a commotion outside the room and discovered a colleague who appeared to be having a seizure.

“All of a sudden, it was like autopilot set in,” she says. “I remembered how to put her into the recovery position, and I remembered that was really important.”

Though the situation was frightening, Jude was able to act decisively, guided by the first aid training she’d received through St John Ambulance. Although she never expected to use those skills in a real emergency, the training gave Jude the confidence to stay calm, clear her colleague’s airway and place them in the recovery position.

In the moment, Jude didn’t panic; she did what she had been trained to do.

 

The everyday impact of training

What’s vital is ensuring these skills are maintained – and remain relevant beyond the office.

St John Ambulance offers a comprehensive suite of refresher and requalification courses, including e-learning modules to full courses, to help first aiders remain competent and confident throughout their three-year qualification and beyond.

St John volunteers are highly trained and support thousands of public events every year – from the London Marathon and Premier League football matches to festivals and village fetes. Their unquestionable expertise is built on learning and practising the same lifesaving skills we teach on our high-quality first aid training courses.

Commercial operations, including workplace first aid training and event services, contribute to the funding of St John Ambulance’s charitable work. Combined with the dedication of its volunteers, this support enables the organisation to expand free first aid training in underserved communities. By reinvesting in the areas it serves, St John helps build resilience and equips more people with the confidence to act in real-life emergencies.

 

Why first aid training matters – everywhere

Whether you’re a teacher, a carer or an office worker, first aid training doesn’t just prepare you for emergencies at work; it enables you to help others and potentially save lives, wherever you are.

These real-life stories show that the true value of training lies in how you respond when every second counts. Many people have used the skills they gained through St John Ambulance workplace training in unexpected situations: from helping a colleague in crisis to saving a loved one’s life.

They often reflect on the difference their actions made – and on the confidence and calm their training gave them in the moment.

“I was just so pleased that I had that background knowledge to do what was needed to keep her safe,” says Jude.

When more people are equipped with basic first aid knowledge, communities become stronger, workplaces become safer and more lives can be protected – even saved.

Explore St John’s courses here, kits here and other opportunities here.