AA Life Insurance and New Zealand Red Cross have come together to help parents and caregivers feel more confident and prepared when faced with life's unexpected moments.
Below you can explore practical advice, training and support designed to help keep your family safe.
REAL LIFE STORY
Holly’s training helps save choking child
A medical emergency involving your child is every parent’s worst nightmare. For Holly, Customer Support Manager for New Zealand Red Cross’ First Aid team, bringing work home with her ended up being a good thing last year.
Holly had undertaken first aid training through Red Cross early in her employment. Since her initial training, she became a mother for the first time, welcoming her son Brody into the family. While at home with then 1 year old Brody in Canterbury last October, she noticed her son was choking.
“He had picked up a 50 cent coin. Which must have fallen out of my wallet as I would never leave coins lying around with a baby – I was getting him ready for daycare and laid him down on his mat to change him,” Holly explains. “He had put the coin in his mouth and when I laid him down, he gasped. I could see the silver glinting in the back of his throat.”
In that split second, Holly’s first aid training kicked in.
“It was a total reflex. I need to get this thing out and I remember doing back blows in first aid. You’re not hurting him – you’re getting it out. I started doing back blows and the coin came flying out. If I had done a gentle pat on the back, it wouldn’t have worked in that situation.”
Holly believes learning the correct way to help someone while choking was a critical part of her reaction. She says she now lives her first aid training “day-to-day” – remembering the training and how it can save lives.
“It was just insane relief in that moment – more than I can put into words,” she says. “That instant reflex may not have been there if I had not known what to do.
“Choking – with any type of event like that – every second counts.”
BABY CHOKING GUIDE
What to do if a baby is choking
Download and print our baby choking guide below for clear, step-by-step advice to help you respond quickly in an emergency.
Download, print and place in an accessible location, like the fridge door.
FIRST AID TRAINING
Red Cross Course | First Aid for Parents and Caregivers
When every second counts, having the right skills can make all the difference. Learn practical first aid for babies and young children in a supportive, parent-focused course.
Who it's for
- Parents of babies, toddlers, and young children
- Grandparents, whānau, and family caregivers
- Anyone responsible for young children's safety
What you'll learn
- Infant and child CPR (different from adults)
- Choking rescue for babies and children
- Childhood emergencies: allergies, asthma, seizures
- Burns, bleeding, fractures, and poisoning
As part of this partnership, parents and caregivers can receive 15% off the New Zealand Red Cross First Aid for Parents and Caregivers course.¹
Plus, if you take out Life Cover with AA Life Insurance using promo code REDCROSS, you could also receive a $100 Prezzy Card.² T&Cs apply.
Growing your family?
A baby changes everything in an instant. Amid the love, chaos and sleepless nights, one thing you can take care of today is protecting your family's future with Life Insurance.
Starting from as little as $10 per month for Life Cover depending on your circumstances, discover AA Life Insurance’s range of cover and get a quote online in minutes.
As your family grows, so do the reasons to protect what matters most.
Life & Living Cover can provide valuable financial support if the unexpected happens. Choose the cover that suits your family’s needs and explore different combinations when you get a quote.
AA Member Benefits
Looking after your wellbeing is easier with an AA Membership. From Life Insurance to First Aid training and kits, discover some of our AA Member Benefit discounts.
First Aid Kits from AA Shop
Our Home, Essential Vehicle and Travel First Aid kits have been developed in collaboration with New Zealand Red Cross.
¹A valid AA Membership Card must be noted at the time of booking.
²Take out a new Life Cover, Income Protection Cover, or Serious Illness Cover before 31 December 2027 and get a $100 Prezzy card. You must have paid for the first two months of premiums for the new covers to qualify for the offer. The policy must be in force for two months before the card is processed. Use of the promo code REDCROSS is required. Limit of 1 Prezzy Card per eligible policy, issued to the primary policyholder. This offer is not available for renewing policies. For full terms and conditions please see here. You will not be eligible if you had a Life Cover, Income Protection Cover, or Serious Illness Cover underwritten by Asteron Life Limited which was cancelled within three months prior to the Offer.
³AA Shop Member Exclusive General Discount - If you’re an AA Member you will need to enter your personal AA Membership number when adding the product to your cart. The AA Member price shown is the 10% AA Member discount. Shipping charges are separate. To view the full AA Shop Terms & Conditions, click here.
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