When more than 400,000 fans gathered at Albert Park for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, St John Ambulance Victoria volunteers and staff were working behind the scenes to help keep spectators safe.

But this year, the team did more than provide first aid coverage across the circuit. They also helped hundreds of people learn lifesaving skills.

Across the four-day event, 868 spectators took part in hands-on first aid training at St John’s mobile CPR Lab, which transformed into a Snake Bite Lab for the first time at the Grand Prix.

The interactive space allowed racegoers to step off the trackside excitement and learn exactly what to do if someone is bitten by a snake.

Turning awareness into action

Snake bites remain a real risk in Victoria, particularly during warmer months when people spend more time outdoors. Since November, Ambulance Victoria paramedics and first responders have attended 171 suspected snake bite incidents across the state, compared to 129 between November 2024 and February 2025.

Amongst the 129 victims is the Victorian dad, Matt Wright, which danger became very real during a family day trip to Wilsons Promontory in January 2025, when he was bitten by a tiger snake while chatting to a friend at Tidal River campsite.

Lisa Wright, Matt’s wife, was quick to act and called 000 while Matt immediately laid down on the ground, and campers who were around assisted by applying pressure bandage. Matt started to deteriorate fast but luckily, he was flown to Latrobe Regional Hospital where he was treated and remained in ICU for 10 days.

“I grew up in the farm, I am in my late forties, and I am a big man, and I nearly died. Imagine if it had been someone else?” Matt questions himself. “If it was anyone smaller than me, someone with no experience, like a child, the situation could have been much worse; the person would not have survived.” Matt says.

Matt, who has now returned to work, but is still battling the side effects of the antivenom he received in hospital, and constant pains in his foot, which suffered severe nerve damages, is now sharing his experience to encourage others to learn how to respond in an emergency.

“I have made it my mission to share my experience in the hope people can understand it better and challenge their preparedness in the event of this happening to them,” Matt said.

He is also encouraging remote businesses to get on board and have their staff first aid trained and having the appropriate first aid kit available.

“I recently spoke at a work-related event in which resulted in the company purchasing 400 snake kits for their employees in which one has already been used, which I am very proud about.”

Stories like Matt’s highlight how important it is for everyday Australians to feel confident responding in a medical emergency.

Learning lifesaving skills trackside

At the Snake Bite Lab, St John trainers and volunteers demonstrated the simple but critical steps people should take if someone is bitten by a snake.

Spectators were able to watch and practise key first aid techniques, including:

• How to safely respond to a snake bite emergency
• What not to do after a snake bite
• How to apply the pressure immobilisation bandage technique
• Important safety tips for outdoor activities

The activation attracted strong interest from both local and international visitors, many of whom were surprised to find interactive first aid education at a global sporting event.

Many stopped by after watching the race to learn how they could help save a life.

Supporting community safety

St John Ambulance Victoria CEO Gordon Botwright said events like the Grand Prix provide a powerful opportunity to reach large audiences with practical first aid knowledge.

“While our teams are there to respond when something goes wrong, prevention and education are just as important,” Mr Botwright said.

“By teaching simple first aid skills, we’re helping build a community that feels confident to step in and help when it matters most.”

Alongside the Snake Bite Lab, St John teams also distributed thousands of Hydralyte samples throughout the event, helping spectators stay hydrated and reducing preventable medical presentations.

Empowering communities across Victoria

The mobile education lab travels across Victoria delivering fast, accessible first aid education at festivals, community events and public spaces.

In 2025 alone, St John’s CPR Lab engaged more than 9,000 Victorians in hands-on lifesaving education.

Initiatives like this support St John Ambulance Victoria’s mission to empower communities with the skills and confidence to save lives.

Because when more people know first aid, more lives can be saved.