First Aid in NZ Schools: Requirements & Best Practice

🩹 Building a Safer Learning Environment

Schools are more than just places of learning—they’re bustling communities where students explore, play, and grow 📚✨. But with that energy comes the occasional tumble, bump, or more serious incident 🤕. Having strong first aid knowledge in New Zealand schools is essential for protecting the wellbeing of both students and staff.

💡 Why First Aid Training in Schools Matters

Every day, school staff face situations where immediate action could make a life-saving difference ❤️:

• 🛝 Playground falls resulting in cuts, sprains, or broken bones

• 🏉 Sports injuries like concussions or joint dislocations

• 🐝 Severe allergic reactions to food, insect stings, or other triggers

• 💨 Asthma attacks or breathing difficulties

• 🩺 Medical conditions like seizures or diabetic emergencies

When trained staff respond quickly, they can prevent injuries from worsening and provide vital support until emergency services arrive 🚑.

📜 The Legal & Best Practice Framework in NZ

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, schools have a duty to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors 🏫. This means having adequate first aid facilities, trained personnel, and procedures in place.
Key best practices include:

• ✅ At least one trained first aider available at all times during school hours

• 🩹 Easy access to a well-stocked first aid kit in classrooms, playgrounds, and sports areas

• 🔄 Regular refresher courses so staff remain confident and competent

• 🐝 Specialised training for common school incidents like choking, allergic reactions, and head injuries

🛠 What First Aid Skills Are Most Valuable in Schools?

While a full workplace first aid course is ideal, these skills are especially important in the school environment:

1. ❤️ CPR & AED Use – Immediate response to cardiac arrest can double or triple survival rates.

2. 🍎 Choking Management – Quick recognition and action can save a child’s life.

3. 🩸 Bleeding Control – Knowing how to apply pressure, bandages, or tourniquets when needed.

4. 💨 Asthma & Allergy Care – Using inhalers, EpiPens, and recognising severe symptoms.

5. 🧠 Head Injury Assessment – Identifying when a student needs urgent medical evaluation.

6. 🦴 Fracture & Sprain Management – Safely immobilising injuries before professional care.

🌱 Making First Aid Part of School Culture

First aid shouldn’t just be a tick-box exercise—it should be part of everyday school life 💬. Here are ways to embed it:

• 📅 Annual training for staff, with extra focus for sports coaches, office staff, and playground supervisors.

• 👩‍🎓 Student first aid awareness sessions, teaching older students basic help they can provide while waiting for adults.

• 🎭 Scenario-based drills so staff can practise responding under realistic conditions.

• 🗂 First aid kits visible and labelled, with clear signage and easy access.

🚑 How RealMed First Aid Can Help

At RealMed First Aid, we make school training engaging, practical, and tailored to real situations your staff might face 🎯. We can:

• 🏫 Come to your school, fitting into your timetable

• 🎬 Deliver scenario-based sessions with realistic props and simulations

• 🛝 Cover both common playground injuries and rare but life-threatening emergencies

• 📋 Ensure your school meets compliance requirements while building a confident, capable team

A well-trained school community isn’t just safer—it’s more confident, proactive, and ready to protect its students when it matters most 💪.

📞 Ready to make your school safer?
Contact RealMed First Aid at info@realmed.co.nz or visit realmed.co.nz to arrange your on-site training.

📍 We Come to You
RealMed First Aid delivers interactive, group first aid courses across New Zealand. Our hands-on, scenario-based training builds real confidence for real emergencies.