In a life-threatening emergency, every second counts. St John Ambulance Tasmania, in partnership with Clarence City Council and Rotary Howrah, is offering free CPR training sessions on the Clarence Mountain Bike Park to mark World First Aid Day, with this year’s theme focusing on ‘first aid in sport’.
The event follows Rotary Howrah’s recent donation of a defibrillator to the popular mountain bike location, and aims to equip the local community with critical life-saving skills and ensure they are prepared in case of emergencies on and off the trails.
“Three years ago, my stepdaughter Simone lost her husband Rob at the Clarence Mountain Bike Park due to heart disease,” recounted Andrew Paynter, CEO of St John Ambulance Tasmania.
“It’s a tragedy that we live with every day, and while we ultimately want to see prevention in these situations, the reality is that sometimes the worst happens. Rob had incredible people step up to help him in his last moments, but not enough people have the skills or confidence to act in an emergency, which is why it’s so important to be prepared.”
“The chain of survival is only as strong as the people who step up in those critical moments. That’s why we’re here—to give our community the tools and confidence to take action, to know that they can be the difference between life and death.
“When someone collapses from cardiac arrest, every single minute matters. For every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation, their chance of survival drops by 10%. It’s a terrifying statistic, but it’s the reality we face.
“By learning CPR, you’re not just protecting your friends, family, and fellow riders—you’re empowering yourself to make a real difference when it counts most.”
Clarence City Council Mayor, Brendan Blomeley, echoed the importance of first aid training in recreational activities, emphasising its value across all age groups and fitness levels.
He said this year’s World First Aid Day theme of ‘First aid in sport’ cast a light on the importance of life-saving skills for all, even those who consider themselves fit and healthy.
“The popularity of the Clarence Mountain Bike Park continues to increase rapidly with residents and visitors frequently returning to ride once or more a week,” he said.
“Clarence is known for high participation rates in sports and recreation- so the more people in our community who can administer first aid, and have CPR skills, the more lives that could potentially be saved.
“Our collaboration with St John Ambulance Tasmania today, and recently with the Rotary Club of Howrah, to install and maintain a new defibrillator, show how our relationships with like-minded organisations result in the betterment of the Clarence community.”
The free CPR training sessions are 10-minute drop-in sessions, designed to be flexible, with no booking required. The event will take place on 14 September between 10am and 1pm at the Clarence Mountain Bike Path.
