In this powerful episode of Beyond the Bandage, we sit down with Louise Jones—an experienced first aid trainer whose life came full circle in the most extraordinary way.

After years of teaching CPR and life-saving skills, Louise became the one who needed them most… suffering a sudden cardiac arrest while 26 weeks pregnant, right in front of her students.

What happened next is a story of courage, training, and impact that reaches far beyond one life.

This episode dives into:

• The real-world importance of CPR training
• The ripple effect of saving a life
• Confidence vs hesitation in emergency situations
• Why AED access needs to change across Australia

⏱️ Key Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction
What this episode is about: real impact, real stories, real lives saved.

02:00 – Louise’s Background
From swimming and bronze medallion at 13 to becoming a lifelong first aid educator.

06:00 – The Moment Everything Changed
Louise suffers a sudden cardiac arrest while pregnant in front of her students.

10:30 – Students Save Her Life
Year 9 students perform CPR, teachers step in, and an AED is used—despite uncertainty due to pregnancy.

16:00 – The Ripple Effect of CPR
One life saved becomes five lives impacted—Louise, her daughter, and three grandchildren.

22:00 – Why CPR Training Matters More Than You Think
It’s not just about one person—it’s about families, communities, and future generations.

28:00 – Storytelling in First Aid Training
How too many stories can distract—and how to strike the right balance to build confidence.

35:00 – Building Confidence to Act
Why confidence—not perfection—is the most important outcome of training.

42:00 – The Reality of Outcomes
Not every situation ends in survival—and why “doing your best” still matters.

50:00 – The AED Mission
Louise’s role in pushing public access defibrillators across Australia—and why we still need more.

58:00 – The Biggest Gap: AEDs in Homes
Most cardiac arrests happen at home—so why don’t more people have AEDs?

1:05:00 – Industry Challenges & Collaboration
Why first aid training should be about saving lives—not competing for profit.

1:12:00 – Final Message
“Any attempt at CPR is better than none.”

💡 Key Takeaways

• CPR saves more than one life – the ripple effect can impact entire families and communities.
• Confidence is everything – people don’t need to be perfect, they just need to act.
• Do not hesitate – especially when it comes to using AEDs or performing CPR.
• Training should be practical, not theoretical overload – hands-on experience builds real readiness.
• AED accessibility is still a major issue – especially in homes where most incidents occur.
• Any action is better than no action – even calling emergency services is a critical first step.

🎯 Memorable Quote

Welcome to the very first episode of Beyond the Bandage, the ABC First Aid podcast.

In this launch episode, hosts Jeff Irvine and Dee sit down with Susan Devlin, CEO of ABC First Aid, and Andy Parker from Understand Your Group to explore the future of first aid training, compliance, leadership and business growth.

Susan shares her journey into the training industry, why high-quality first aid education is critical, and how the sector has evolved over the years. She also gives a behind-the-scenes look at how ABC First Aid supports its training partners and why professional development, compliance and people remain central to success.

Andy then joins the conversation to unpack the marketing and business growth side of the industry, discussing AI, brand trust, digital marketing strategies and why returning to the fundamentals may be the most powerful strategy for businesses heading into 2026 and beyond.

This podcast series has been designed for industry, by industry, giving training providers, partners and business leaders access to practical insights, real experience and expert perspectives.

• Susan Devlin’s journey into the training and safety industry
• Why quality first aid training matters more than ever
• How the first aid training landscape has changed
• The impact of blended learning and express training models
• How ABC First Aid supports partners behind the scenes
• Why professional development and currency are critical
• How training providers can improve client retention
• Marketing challenges facing small businesses today
• The role of AI in business and marketing
• Why brand trust and storytelling matter
• The leadership mindset required for business growth in 2026