On September 13, to mark World First Aid Day, the Red Cross Society of the Republic of China (Taiwan) hosted a series of events under the theme “Timely First Aid, Protecting One Another” at the Palais de Chine Hotel in Taipei. The program sought to raise public awareness of first aid education, emphasize the importance of lifesaving skills, and strengthen emergency preparedness.

The event also featured the presentation of the Fraternity First Aid Award and prizes for a nationwide short film and essay competition, highlighting how first aid knowledge can make a tangible difference in everyday life.

In his remarks, Red Cross President Wei-Ta Pan stressed that first aid should not be viewed as a skill exclusive to medical professionals. With the wider availability of tools such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), he said, learning lifesaving techniques is now within everyone’s reach. “First aid should be as common as knowing traffic rules or fire safety,” he noted. “The true value of first aid lies not only in protecting oneself and one’s family, but also in being ready to extend a hand to others in moments of crisis. Only then can we build a society where everyone has the power to save lives.”

This year’s Fraternity First Aid Award recognized seven recipients from different walks of life who demonstrated extraordinary courage in emergencies. Among them was Chen-yu Hsu, who performed CPR and coordinated the use of an AED when a passenger collapsed in a Taipei metro station; two Chang Gung Memorial Hospital nurses, Hua-shan Shih and Ya-wen Chen, who revived a passenger suffering cardiac arrest mid-flight; and firefighter Yi-hsin Shen, who, while off duty, rushed to the aid of a car accident victim with severe injuries. Their actions, Pan said, exemplify the true meaning of first aid education: at critical moments, anyone can become a hero.

The ceremony also included the donation of QCPR training devices—high-quality simulators for cardiopulmonary resuscitation—to Red Cross chapters across Taiwan. The aim, Pan explained, is to deepen practical training and expand the network of trained first responders nationwide. Exhibitors showcased cutting-edge emergency equipment, including lightweight AEDs deployable by drones, automated chest compression devices, and next-generation tourniquets. Through demonstrations and hands-on experiences, participants not only learned essential techniques but also gained exposure to the latest global developments in emergency response technology.

Beyond awards and demonstrations, the event hosted lectures on first aid law, high-quality CPR, and bleeding control, moderated by Red Cross Vice President Ha To-chi. Speakers included Wang Tsung-lun, deputy dean of Fu Jen Catholic University’s School of Medicine; Hsieh Ming-ju, president of the Taiwan Emergency Medical Technician Association; and Hsu Chen-yu, chairman of the Taiwan Public Defibrillation Development Association. The sessions underscored the practical and legal dimensions of first aid, encouraging participants to see it not only as a skill but also as a civic responsibility.

Colonel Kao-hsiang Yeh, director of the National Defense Medical Center’s Health Service Training Center, reflected on the Red Cross’s historic role, from wartime relief to disaster response. Promoting first aid education, he said, strengthens society’s resilience and fosters “a Taiwan that is both safer and more compassionate.”

In 2024, Taiwan Red Cross trained nearly 60,000 people in first aid, a significant figure but still a small fraction of the population. The organization pledged to continue overcoming challenges in staffing, equipment, and facilities to make first aid a universal skill.

“First aid is not the preserve of medical professionals,” Pan reiterated in closing. “It is a basic ability every citizen should have. Through learning, practice, and passing on knowledge, we can ensure that the idea of ‘everyone can save a life’ becomes not just a slogan, but a daily reality.”