A typical day for any St John's Ambulance officer on the job - except at St Leonard's Sporting Complex on Saturday, the blood was sympathetic, the patients were faking it, and the ambulance officers were under the age of 10.

It was the competition day for the St John's cadetship program, which teaches crucial life-saving skills to future paramedics aged from eight to 17.

Sarah Colebrook-Smith, 9, said she liked doing the program because it taught her how to help people.

"It's just about helping people really, it's what I really enjoy," she said.

"I want to be a teacher - and maybe a part-time nurse."

Competition manager Vanessa Henry said the juniors learned CPR, how to treat burns, how to call an ambulance, and other basic first aid, as well as building confidence, leadership, and social skills.