Pauline's Law

Pauline's Law Promoting life-saving first aid education for every young person. Supporting skills that save lives.

The next few weeks are a significant time for our family.Within a short space of time, we celebrate my sister's birthday...
06/03/2026

The next few weeks are a significant time for our family.

Within a short space of time, we celebrate my sister's birthday, my dad's birthday, my brother's birthday, and - in between that - my mum's birthday.

As these occasions approach each year, I often find myself reflecting on the people who shaped us and the values they passed on.

People sometimes ask where the motivation for Pauline's Law comes from - beyond being inspired by those who tried to save my mum.

The truth is that long before there was a campaign, there were parents who taught their children the importance of kindness, helping others, and looking beyond themselves.

Growing up, helping people wasn't something that needed to be taught through words alone. It was something we saw demonstrated every day.

Looking back, I can see how much those lessons have influenced the journey that Pauline's Law has become.

Over the coming weeks, as our family marks a number of important milestones, I'll probably find myself reflecting on that a little more than usual - and feeling grateful for the values that continue to guide us.

Because while Pauline's Law is about emergency first aid education, it's also rooted in something much simpler: the belief that when someone needs help, we should do what we can to provide it.💛🩷

06/02/2026

One of the things I've appreciated most over the last few months has been the opportunity to meet and learn from so many different people.

Every conversation has added something new, and the support and encouragement I've received along the way has meant a great deal - thank you to you all!! 💛🩷

06/02/2026

One thing that has genuinely surprised me throughout this journey is how many different people I've spoken to who believe young people should have the confidence and skills to respond in an emergency.

I've had conversations with trainers, healthcare professionals, councillors, educators, parents, and members of the public.

While everyone brings their own perspective, one thing I've found incredibly encouraging is how often the conversation comes back to the same thing — the value of helping people feel prepared to act when it matters most.

When I first started Pauline's Law, I expected many of the conversations to focus on obstacles and challenges.

Instead, I've often found myself talking about possibilities, ideas, and the different ways people can contribute towards creating positive change.

That's been one of the most encouraging parts of this journey so far. 💛🩷

06/01/2026

Something I’ve been thinking about lately…

We spend years in education learning lots of valuable things - but sometimes the skills that stay with us most are the ones we learn outside of the classroom.

What’s something you wish you’d learned earlier in life?

Not qualifications - but practical skills, confidence, or knowledge that would have helped in everyday life.

I’d love to hear people’s thoughts.💛🩷

05/31/2026

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing updates about Pauline's Law across a number of community pages and local groups.

I just wanted to say a sincere thank you to the page and group admins who have kindly allowed these posts to be shared. It really does make a difference in helping important conversations reach a wider audience.

I’ve also been really grateful for the messages, comments, and conversations that have come from people engaging with the posts — whether that’s sharing personal experiences, asking questions, or offering support and encouragement.

It’s been genuinely encouraging to see how many people care about improving awareness and confidence around emergency first aid, and I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to engage with it.

I’ll continue sharing occasional updates as the work around Pauline’s Law develops, and I’m very grateful to everyone who has helped support these conversations so far. 💛🩷

05/30/2026

Following my conversations this week, it’s also made me think about how different an emergency can feel from the outside compared to actually being in it.

From what I can understand, there seem to be two broad scenarios that often play out depending on who is present and what skills or confidence they have.

Most people imagine panic, chaos, and lots of people stepping in immediately — and sometimes that does happen. In those moments, some people panic, but others step forward and are able to provide help before emergency services arrive, and continue supporting paramedics when they do.

But from what I’ve been learning, another common scenario is something very different — hesitation.

People not being sure what to do. People worrying about doing the wrong thing. People assuming someone else will step in — and sometimes, as a result, no one does.

And in those first few minutes, that hesitation can make a real difference.

I know I often come back to this, but it’s really highlighted again for me how important confidence is — not just knowing what to do, but feeling able to act when it matters.

It’s something I don’t think I fully appreciated before starting these conversations.

05/28/2026

Yesterday, I spoke to Yvonne Carruthers Founder and Lead Trainer of First Aid Training Scotland, and today I met with Ally Kinnear, paramedic and trainer at the Rescue Med Training Facility in Midlothian.

Thank you to both of you for taking the time to meet with me. It’s always interesting hearing trainers speak about their experiences, and any advice or insight shared is always greatly appreciated.

I took a lot away from both conversations, and it was really valuable hearing two different perspectives from people who deliver first aid training in different ways.

It was also incredibly interesting to look at things through a paramedic’s eyes.

Throughout this journey, I’ve thought a lot about emergency situations involving members of the public — both as the person needing help and as the bystander.

I’ve thought about people who deliver training, what led them into that work, and about those who have received first aid training and whether they’ve ever had to use it.

I’d also thought about the importance of immediate bystander intervention before emergency services arrive, and how those early actions can affect someone’s condition by the time they reach hospital.

But one thing I hadn’t really considered in depth was the stage in between — what happens when emergency services arrive, and how bystander intervention can continue to make a difference even then.

Speaking with Ally and hearing how important confidence in emergency first aid can be — not only for the person needing help, but also in supporting paramedics when they arrive — made me see things in a very different light.

It’s not just about what happens before emergency services get there. Confident bystander intervention can allow paramedics those first vital moments to assess the situation, begin other lifesaving measures, and work more effectively as a team.

Reflecting afterwards, I realised this was actually something that happened with my own mum. The first aiders helping her were doing such a good job that paramedics were able to let them continue while they focused on taking other lifesaving actions.

That conversation connected another piece of the puzzle for me.

The more I learn, the more I realise that first aid education is about far more than individual skills — it’s about giving people the confidence to become part of that chain of survival when every second matters.

05/25/2026

One thing I’ve realised through conversations around Pauline’s Law is that some people initially misunderstand what first aid education in schools actually means.

It’s not about expecting young people to become paramedics or healthcare professionals.

It’s about making sure more people have the confidence to act in those first critical moments before emergency services arrive.

For many young people, a medical emergency involving a parent, grandparent, sibling, or friend may happen long before they ever receive any formal training or guidance on what to do.

Even basic skills — knowing how to call for help, begin CPR, or use a defibrillator — could make a life-changing difference.

The more conversations I have, the more I believe this is really about confidence, awareness, and giving people the ability to help rather than feel helpless. 💛🩷

05/22/2026

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak with STV News about Pauline's Law and why I believe every young person should have the chance to learn lifesaving first aid skills.

This campaign started from something deeply personal, but the support and conversations growing around it have been genuinely encouraging.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to listen, support, share ideas, or get involved so far — it really does mean a lot.

I would also like to thank Emma McAndrew for this amazing opportunity.

I’ve attached the clip below for anyone who would like to watch it. 💛🩷

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Fife, WA

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