St John Ambulance’s new advertising campaign has a hard-hitting message for people who aren’t first aid trained.

Queensland CEO Alex Hutton said the confronting new advertisement was designed to provoke action.

“We have highlighted the importance of learning first aid for more than a century, and while a growing number of Queenslanders have been trained, too many still don’t know how to save someone’s life in an emergency,” Mr Hutton explained.

“Performing first aid before the ambulance arrives can often be the difference between life and death. It can also prevent more serious injury, such as irreversible brain damage which begins after just four minutes without oxygen.”

Last year in Queensland, St John paramedics and volunteers treated more than 13,000 casualties. Research shows for motor vehicle accidents alone, up to15 per cent of deaths could have been prevented each year if basic first aid was administered at the scene before paramedics arrived.

The new campaign shows a mother rush to the aid of her drowning child in a backyard pool, only to be prevented from rescuing him by an invisible barrier.

Last year in Queensland alone, St John trained an average 153 people in first aid every day. Give the gift of staying alive this summer – book your loved ones into one of our life-saving training courses. Courses from $75.00 www.stjohnqld.com.au