STANDBY FIRST AID

As an event organiser in Queensland, you have a legal duty of care to ensure the health and safety of everyone at your event, including patrons, staff, and volunteers. Your key responsibility is to provide a level of medical care appropriate to the specific risks of your event.

Understand Your Event's Risk Profile

The level of first aid and medical coverage you need depends on several factors:

• Number of attendees: A larger crowd = higher risk.

• Type of event: A static, seated theatre show is lower risk than a high-energy music festival or sporting event.

• Demographics: An event with young children or older adults may have different medical needs.

• Location: Is your event in a remote area far from a hospital, or in the Brisbane metro area with quick ambulance access?

• Environment: Outdoor summer events require planning for heat stress and sun exposure.

Engage a Professional First Aid Provider (Like Us!)

For most events, you should engage a professional provider. A qualified first aid officer or team will help you:

• Conduct a risk assessment specific to your event.

• Develop a medical plan that outlines responder locations, equipment, and procedures.

• Provide appropriately trained personnel equipped to handle the anticipated incidents.

• Ensure conspicuous and accessible first aid posts are clearly signed and easy to find.

• Manage patient care and documentation, reducing the impact on local emergency services.

Consider:

• Access: Ensure clear routes for our first aiders to move through crowds and for Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) vehicles to enter and exit quickly.

• Communication: Reliable two-way radios helps coordinate across the event site.

• Equipment: We can provide fully stocked first aid kits, AEDs (defibrillators), and treatment areas. A key part of our job is being prepared for emergencies.

Your Legal Obligation

Engaging a professional and licensed first aid provider is the best way to fulfil your duty of care, meet public liability insurance requirements, and ensure everyone at your event can enjoy it safely.

The most important step: Notify the Queensland Ambulance Service of your event at least 6 weeks in advance. Provide them with the date, location, and expected number of attendees so they can plan for any potential impact on their services.

We are here to help! As experienced Brisbane first aid officers, we take the stress out of event medical planning. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation and quote tailored to your event's specific needs.

***This information is based on the Queensland Health document Event health and medical care guidelines – A guideline for organisers of mass gathering events in Queensland.

There is no single mandated ratio, as it depends entirely on the inherent risk level of the sport. Higher-risk activities require a greater density of medical personnel to ensure a rapid and effective response to potential injuries.

As a general guide based on industry and sporting best practices:

• Low-Risk Sports (e.g., Cross Country, Tennis, Volleyball): A baseline level of coverage is still essential. A common starting point is 1 medic per 100-150 participants.

• Medium-Risk Sports (e.g., Basketball, Netball, Cricket, Football/Soccer): These sports involve more dynamic movement and potential for contact. A ratio of 1 medic per 50-75 participants is often appropriate or 1 medic for every 2-4 fields of play.

• High to Extreme-Risk Sports like Rugby League, Rugby Union, AFL, Surfing, Swimming, and Hurdles: These activities have a significantly higher likelihood of serious injury. A much more robust coverage is required, with a recommended ratio of 1 medic per 25-50 participants, or 1 medic per field of play, or even higher for extreme risk events like Pole Vault, Hammer Throw, or Martial Arts.

The most important factor is a professional risk assessment. The final ratio should be determined by:

• The specific sport and its official risk rating (as per governing bodies).

• The age and skill level of the participants.

• The number of concurrent games or matches.

• The venue's proximity to advanced medical care.

We can provide relevant quotes based on a risk assessment of your specific event to ensure ethical and effective medical coverage. Contact us to discuss your event's needs. We're here to help!