CareFlight has today unveiled the first in a series of In-Language Community Education Videos, designed to equip remote Northern Territory communities with lifesaving trauma care skills in the languages they speak every day.
In the Northern Territory, distance, isolation, and language barriers can turn a simple injury into a life-threatening emergency. For many remote communities, help may be hours away, and English can be a second, third, or even fourth language. These new videos aim to bridge that gap, giving residents the knowledge and confidence to act when every second counts.
The first video, focused on burns treatment, is now available across the Top End in nine First Nations languages: Yolngu Matha, Warlpiri, Kriol, Tiwi, Murrinh-Patha, Kunwinjku, Maung, Burarra, and Anindilyakwa, plus English. It is the first of a four-video suite covering essential trauma skills, including covering stemming blood loss, choking, and treating snake bites.
Developed in partnership with First Nations interpreters, community leaders, and businesses, and supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the resource delivers practical trauma care training while respecting culture and traditional communication styles.
“When emergencies happen in remote communities, language can be the difference between hesitation and action. These videos give people the power to respond with confidence—because they’re learning in the language they know,” said Dean Blackney, CareFlight Flight Nurse and Educator.
As part of CareFlight’s long-running Community Education Program, operating for more than a decade across the Northern Territory, these resources build on years of collaboration and trust. For many remote Territorians, accessing first aid training isn’t easy — some communities are over 10 hours away from the nearest workshop.
That’s why since 2021, CareFlight has delivered over 110 workshops to over 1,100 First Nation community members across 31 Top End locations. By embedding education in both language and culture, CareFlight is bridging the gap between clinical knowledge and community need, ensuring people feel capable and confident to act in the crucial minutes before emergency services arrive.
“Our hands-on training has always been about more than skills; it’s about empowerment and trust,” said Dean Blackney, CareFlight Flight Nurse and Educator. “These videos are the next step, delivering lifesaving knowledge in the languages that make sense to communities.”
The launch event in Darwin highlighted the program’s real-life impact. In Beswick, Peter and his team at Nyirrunggulung RISE used their CareFlight training to assist a woman who collapsed near their work shed—placing her in the recovery position, shielding her from the sun, and briefing clinic nurses on arrival. Similarly, Trish, who attended a workshop, helped at a remote car accident, using thermal blankets, packing wounds, and staying calm until help arrived.
“Seeing communities apply this training in real situations shows the power of education delivered in language and culture,” said Dean Blackney. “These stories are exactly why we developed this program.”
With over 90% of CareFlight’s Top End patients coming from remote First Nations communities, this initiative will significantly expand the number of trained community responders, helping to improve emergency outcomes and health equity across the region.
CareFlight General Manager NT, Jodie Mills, said the launch marked a major step forward in community-driven healthcare.
“This initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when clinical expertise is combined with cultural knowledge and language. We are proud to work hand in hand with First Nations communities to create resources that will save lives and strengthen resilience across the Territory,” she said.
The burns video is just the beginning of a broader initiative to support remote communities in managing common trauma scenarios.
CareFlight will continue rolling out the rest of the series, which covers topics like covering stemming blood loss, choking, and treating snake bites each delivered in multiple First Nations languages.
By providing practical, culturally appropriate education in the languages spoken every day, CareFlight is empowering communities with the knowledge and confidence to respond in emergencies, ultimately strengthening resilience and improving outcomes across the Northern Territory.
