By Sam McKeith in Sydney

More than 80 per cent of Australians would not be confident in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a baby or child, a study has found, revealing a nationwide emergency skills gap.

The report, from first aid training company Australia Wide First Aid, found 82 per cent of respondents would not back their CPR skills in such circumstances.

Some 47 per cent of those polled found providing CPR the most intimidating first aid situation, despite 80 per cent saying it was the most important first aid skill.

Of those surveyed, 34 per cent had experience performing or being involved in administering CPR.

The report follows a St John Ambulance NSW survey released in September that found 46 per cent of parents polled were unprepared to handle a health or medical emergency.

That was despite 44 per cent of Australian households with children experiencing a health or medical emergency in the past year, the first aid provider’s survey found.

Australia Wide First Aid said its report showed there was a need to “address the CPR knowledge gap” across the country.

“Enhancing first aid skills is not just about feeling prepared for the worst – it’s about empowering every individual to act confidently and effectively in everyday situations that threaten safety,” the company’s chief operating officer Melissa Dos Santos said in a statement.

“Learning the basic skills and taking a first aid course can be the first step in the difference between life or death.”

CPR, first aid for when someone’s heart has stopped or they are not breathing, is used for emergencies such as allergic reactions, heart attacks and drownings.

There were 99 drownings in Australia in summer 2023/24, up 10 per cent on the previous summer, according to Royal Life Saving Australia, sparking calls to boost CPR skills.