John Haines, Founder of LivCor
John Haines founded LivCor (APL Group) in 1988 and has supplied defibrillators, CPR manikins and first aid equipment to Australian workplaces and training organisations for more than 35 years.
Before LivCor, John spent 18 years with Ambulance Service Victoria, including 11 years as a MICA Flight Paramedic. He trained at the Ambulance Officers Training College, qualified as a MICA Paramedic between 1982 and 1984, and worked in air ambulance, aero-medical evacuation and rescue from 1985 to 1994.
He is the author of the Emergency First Aid series, now in its 23rd edition, and the Advanced First Aid Guide, now in its 4th edition. The series has sold more than two million copies. In 1989 he conceived the HAINES recovery position.
John served as Deputy Chairman of the Australian Resuscitation Council (NSW Branch) and is a founding member of the First Aid Industry Alliance, where he held the roles of Secretary, Vice President and President. He has spoken on resuscitation technology, including the keynote "New Technology: Closing the Survival Gap".
Every LivCor article that carries John's name is written and reviewed by him. He reads the final text and stands behind it before it is published.
Credentials and career
- Founder, APL Group Pty Ltd trading as LivCor, 1988 to present
- Ambulance Service Victoria, 18 years, including 11 years as a MICA Flight Paramedic
- MICA Paramedic, Ambulance Officers Training College, 1982 to 1984
- Air ambulance, aero-medical evacuation and rescue, 1985 to 1994
Publications
- Emergency First Aid series, 23rd edition (December 2025)
- Advanced First Aid Guide, 4th edition (September 2025)
Honours and awards
- Commendation for Bravery, Chief Commissioner, Victoria Police (1992)
- National Medal (1993)
- Excellence in Education Award, Citizen CPR Foundation, San Diego (2013)
- First Aid Industry Alliance Lifetime Individual Membership Award (2019)
Memberships and roles
- Deputy Chairman, Australian Resuscitation Council (NSW Branch)
- Founding member, First Aid Industry Alliance, 1989 to 2022; Secretary, Vice President and President