Perinatal First Aid (E-Learning)
Learn first aid at your own pace, in your own home
Parenthood doesn’t come with a handbook, as much as we wish it did! However, it can come with the knowledge that helps you feel calm and capable, if you know where to look.
Our online Perinatal First Aid course brings expert-led, family-focused training straight to you in the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re expecting your first child or right in the thick of those early months, this gentle, practical program gives you the tools to protect your little one while supporting your own emotional well-being.
Created in partnership with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) and Kidsafe Victoria, this course blends trusted medical knowledge with compassion and understanding for what we as parents go through. You’ll learn how to respond to common emergencies while building emotional resilience for the journey of parenthood, all from the comfort of home.
Evidence-Based Training
Our partners
Who this course is for
This baby first aid and CPR course is designed for
- New and expecting parents
- Grandparents
- Babysitters and nannies
- Caregivers
- Those seeking professional development
- Anybody wanting to learn or refresh their knowledge from home
What’s included in our online course?
Developed by Emergcare and the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) in conjunction with Kidsafe Victoria, this course offers the same quality and depth as our in-person sessions.
Delivered online, so you can learn when it suits you, this course includes:
- 3 modules, 21 lessons
- 2 hours of online learning with pre-recorded video lessons, plus interactive quizzes
- Complete this paediatric online first aid course at your own pace, from a single day to several weeks
- Downloadable factsheets, summary notes, and resources for each lesson
- Printable templates and baby and child first aid downloadable resources for quick reference in your home
- Assessment quiz at the end of each lesson
- Digital certificate on completion of the Baby and Child First Aid course
- Ongoing access to all content for the life of the course, including future course updates
What you’ll learn
This course is more than just first aid: it’s your guide to safety, care, and emotional well-being during the joyful yet sometimes daunting moments of early parenthood.
You’ll learn how to recognise early warning signs, manage common childhood injuries and illnesses, and know when to seek medical care. You’ll also explore evidence-based strategies to care for your own mental health, so you can feel balanced and supported while caring for the new little life in your hands.
Pricing
Course cost
$160 + GST
Enrolling in this course gives you access and certification for one person or one household only. If you’re purchasing as a household, please use your surname when registering and purchasing the course, as this will appear on your certificate.
Group discounts of 20% apply for 10 or more purchases, making them perfect for parents’ groups and community organisations. For group bookings, contact training@cope.org.au to arrange an invoice plus a course code to apply at checkout.
Course modules and lessons
Module 1: Primary Survey (DRSABCD – Danger, Response, Send, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation)
Module 1 covers the Primary Survey, a standard approach to assess any life-threatening conditions a child may have, prioritised in order.
Lessons in this module include:
- Dangers
- Response
- Send for help
- Airway
- Breathing
- CPR
- Defibrillation
Module 2: Paediatric medical emergencies
Learn how to handle emergencies like choking, bleeding, head injuries, fractures, burns, and drowning. This module also covers what to do if your child is diagnosed with croup, whooping cough, febrile convulsions, asthma, and other conditions.
Lessons include:
- Drowning and the recovery position
- Choking
- Bleeding
- Head injuries
- Fractures and Dislocations
- Fevers
- Febrile Convulsions
- Croup
- Asthma
- Burns
- Poisoning
- Bites and stings
- Allergies and anaphylaxis
Module 3: Perinatal emotional and mental health
Health isn’t just about the physical aspects. In this module, we discuss common mental health conditions, including what to look out for in yourself or others. We also discuss treatment options and where to access quality information and support.
Lessons include:
- Understanding perinatal mental health
- The transition to parenthood
- Emotional wellbeing
- Understanding depression and anxiety
- Community resources and support for parents
Bonus resources
You also get access to additional learning resources, including these videos:
- How to use a spacer
- CPR scenarios for children aged 1-8 years
- CPR for infants aged 0-1 year
Plus recommended reading, including:
- Asthma Australia
- Kidsafe burn/scald safety resources
- Bites and Stings APP
- ASCIA website
Meet our presenters
This online course is presented by experienced paramedics and perinatal mental health specialists with extensive clinical expertise across their fields. Each presenter brings compassion, knowledge, and care to every lesson, helping families and communities feel truly supported.
Dr Nicole Highet
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTDr Nicole Highet is a perinatal mental health specialist with over 25 years’ experience, and the Founder and Director of COPE: Centre of Perinatal Excellence, Australia’s peak body in perinatal mental health. Nicole is a Doctor of Psychology, the Chair of the 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline Expert Working Committee, and co-chaired the development of Australia’s Clinical Practice Guidelines in 2011 and 2017.
Hendrik Gutwirth
EMERGCARE CO-DIRECTORHendrik Gutwirth is a Co-Director of Emergcare and an Advanced Life Support Paramedic with over 15 years of clinical experience. Passionate about education, Hendrik has contributed to published research in his field, facilitated professional development workshops for his peers, and acted in both Clinical Instructor and Paramedic Educator roles. At Emergcare, Hendrik shares his extensive clinical knowledge and works collaboratively to educate and empower parents and carers across Australia.
Daniel Parks
EMERGCARE CO-DIRECTORDaniel Parks is a Co-Director of Emergcare and an Advanced Life Support Paramedic with over 17 years of clinical experience. With a diverse range of expertise, Daniel has also worked across Queensland and Victoria, in both metropolitan and rural areas, and has held both Clinical Instructor and Team Manager positions. At Emergcare, Daniel shares his extensive clinical knowledge and works collaboratively to educate and empower parents and carers across Australia.
Course bonuses
Download and save or print your course Factsheet bundle, including:
- DRSABCD (Danger, Response, Send, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation) Infographic Poster
- Kidsafe: Parents’ Guide to Homes
- Kidsafe: Home Safety Checklist
- Our Emergency Details Template
- Drowning and Prevention
- Button Battery/Fact Sheets
- Choke Checker PDF
- Medication Tracker Magnet
- Kidsafe: Burns Safety Checklist PDF
- Emergcare First Aid Fact Sheet PDF
- Emergcare First Aid Fact Sheet on Bites and Stings PDF
- Bites and Stings PIT Technique PDF
Testimonials
What our
clients say
Learn to help the hearts you nurture every day
Our online Perinatal First Aid course gives you the flexibility to learn wherever you are, while still feeling connected to experienced health professionals. At the end of the course, our aim is for you to feel informed, supported, and ready to care for both the children in your care and yourself.
