Airbags are designed only to deploy during a crash. An undeployed airbag is very unlikely to injure a rescuer unless the vehicle is subject to significant force such as cutting or bending the metal body. As soon as practical the battery of a crashed vehicle should be disconnected by an experienced person. This reduces the risk of both fire and accidental airbag activation. In assisting a patient inside a crashed vehicle an undeployed airbag should be regarded as a hazard similar to broken glass or sharp metal edges. It is prudent to avoid contact or close proximity with an undeployed airbag in the same way that it is prudent to avoid contact with broken glass.

Yes, provided that the certificate was issued in the last three years.

Yes, simply call your local St John Ambulance state or territory office.

St John offers Ambulance Cover to residents of the Northern Territory and Western Australia only.

It is not a legal requirement to complete a resuscitation course each year. However, the Australian Resuscitation Council (www.resus.org.au) recommends that first aiders should be able to demonstrate their resuscitation skills on a regular basis. An annual CPR renewal may also be required by certain industries and may be identified in industry regulations or licensing requirements. St John recommends that a refresher course is done every year to ensure that a first aider is able to effectively perform resuscitation.

Yes, first aid knowledge and skills changes all the time and a new course needs to be completed.

No, you need to complete another first aid course.

It is a requirement of WorkCover in most states and territories that a workplace first aider must renew their first aid certificate at least every three years to ensure that first aid skills are current.