Knowledge and Acceptance of First Aid and Travel Insurance in Hostelers from North and Central Queensland, Australia

Conservatively, it is estimated that between 30 to 50% of travelers become ill or injured whilst traveling.¹ The risk of severe injury is thought to be greater for people when traveling abroad.² It may be that travelers will be called upon to assist a fellow traveler or even themselves using the principles of first aid, with the assistance of a traveler's medical or first aid kit. First aid is "the initial care of the sick and injured" by people at the scene.³ (p12). Subsequent emergency care in the field is referred to as prehospital care, which would normally be provided by "salaried ambulance officers, paramedics, nurses or doctors, who may administer drugs or use high technology equipment."⁴ (p38). In some instances, prehospital care may not be available and first aid may have to continue until hospital or medical care is found. In Australia, there are a number of major providers of first aid training. These include St John Ambulance Australia, Surf Life Saving Australia, the Royal Life Saving Society, the Australian Red Cross Society, and state ambulance services.⁴ About 250,000 of Australia's population of about 19 million people receive first aid training each year.