First Aid is something I always wanted to do, but often came up with the excuse of not having enough time. I was out of excuses when I was asked if I’d like to complete the course online. Well done St John Ambulance Vic! As one of the many Australian organisations to change their way of doing things because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was the kick up the backside I needed.

I knew things were getting real when the training equipment pack was sent to me. A mini inflatable CPR learning manikin, defibrillator pad set, CPR practice DVD, basic life support book, bandages, a training Epipen, a placebo inhaler and spacer – all the gear I needed to demonstrate my new learning.

I was required to complete some online pre-learning prior to my class, which took me about two and a half hours and is recommended you do this no later than the day before. There’s a lot of information to take in and online questions to complete via a link you’re sent once you enrol.

The video demonstrations were clear and comprehensive and afterwards I felt confident that I’d be able to complete the training successfully.

I joined my scheduled First Aid class via Zoom using my laptop (webcam, microphone and speakers are required) and set up where I could easily position the webcam so the trainer could easily see me performing some of the assessments on the ground.

I used my phone as the secondary device, which is needed to access additional websites for theory questions and to simulate a defibrillator.

Allowing four uninterrupted hours for the class, it felt like it went very quickly! The instructor was friendly and helped review the pre-learning and allowed questions before assessing your skills.

St John Ambulance Victoria’s comprehensive First Aid course covers a range of topics to enable participants to confidently manage emergency situations and provide a first aid response to a casualty. It covers the most common first aid injuries and illnesses.

The course topics include the DRSABCD action plan and responding to emergency situations, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), burns, asthma, anaphylaxis, sprains and strains.

As a mother, I think knowing what do do in an emergency is imperative, with children susceptible to all sorts of potential hazards. But it’s also vitally important to be prepared and in a position to help save someone’s life. We’re all capable of learning First Aid and really have no excuse – especially with the convenience of an online course – not to do something about it.

• I was gifted a virtual St John Ambulance Victoria First Aid training course for the purposes of a review.

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This summer we crammed in All. Of. The. Fun. Things. I was determined to provide her with every happy experience possible in her last summer as a pre-schooler.

I used to push Millie around in the pram and walk past local schools and see the mums taking their HUGE school kids to class. I smugly thought that stage of my life was a long way off. How wrong I was! It’s gone by in a blink and I’m now that mum and that sleeping bundle of joy now a joyous, inquisitive, funny and thoughtful preppie. How can it be??

I’ve become a lot more emotional since becoming a mum so there’s absolutely no doubt I’ll cry tomorrow. It’s a momentous day.

This new prep has been my sidekick for 5.5 years. My first baby, I resigned from my job as a newspaper editor to make this girl my number one. I’ve been there for every tear, every new discovery, there to answer every question, squeeze and hold her hand when she worries and gently encourage when she’s nervous. I’m her mum and I love her more than anything else on this earth. My girl.

But I have to pass the baton.

When I cry it won’t be in front of her.

She has gone to bed tonight singing: “School tomorrow! School tomorrow! I’m going to school tomorrow! Yay!”. It’s hard to remain sad about something she’s just so damn enthusiastic about.

As mums, everything we do is for our children. It’s hard to let go. It’s harder still to let them walk into class and not be privy to everything they are hearing or doing. We’ve got to have faith in our schools and the staff that they too have our child’s best interests at heart. I’m certain they do and will wave her goodbye tomorrow with every confidence.

What I can feel good about is that I’ve done everything I can to prepare her for this day. She is ready. I probably should have spent more time working on making sure I was too!

I can’t wait for her to come home and share news of the new things she’s been taught, the tasks she once thought impossible that she can complete with ease. My daughter is right at the start of a wondrous new adventure that awaits her.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

Your teacher and classmates are so lucky to get to see you every day Millie Moo. I hope you are always this happy about going to school, always willing to learn new things, that you always ask questions, stand up for what you believe in and that you do it all with a smile on your face.

I’ll hold tight the memories of 5.5 glorious years – the best years of my life – with you under my wing.

Can’t wait to see the wonder you become.

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