Every year on the second Saturday in September, the world celebrates World First Aid Day to increase awareness of the importance and value of first aid and how it can help save lives. The goal of the day is to increase public awareness of basic first-aid procedures so that as many people as possible would know what to do in an emergency.

Coordinated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and its National Societies, World First Aid Day is celebrated around the world through a wide variety of events and public displays, to help make first aid accessible to all.

What is the theme of World First Aid Day 2023?

Every year, World First Aid Day has a different theme. The theme for World First Aid Day 2023 is 'First Aid in the Digital World'

Digital technology has an important part to play in helping people of all ages become more aware of first aid. From online courses to YouTube videos, websites, and more, there are a number of online tools that can help assist people in learning fundamental first-aid skills. One of the main advantages of this is that people can learn first aid online at their own pace, according to their own schedules.

If we dedicated just one minute of the time we spend online each day to learning first aid, we could potentially provide better outcomes for people in emergencies, and even save lives.

British Red Cross

How will St John celebrate World First Aid Day?

St John provides first aid training and services through local volunteers who reside in villages and cities. Our army of over 200,000 ordinary heroes will host a number of events around the world; for more information, see below.

• On September 9th, St John Ambulance Cymru members will be delivering free first aid demonstrations to the public at a family fun day in the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff.
  
  
• St John Ambulance Canada will be running an exciting contest where five lucky winners will win a free first aid class standard or emergency. The classes can be taken anywhere in Canada. 
  
  
• St John Ambulance England will be encouraging their audience to spend some of the time they spend online learning new first aid skills. Their online e-learning modules cover a vast range of free and easy first aid and mental health topics. For more information click here.
  
  
• St John Ambulance Australia will be running free female-only CPR classes. Fewer women than men are trained and confident to do first aid, and St John Ambulance Australia's mission is to ensure that everyone has access to the information to save a life. Visitors on the day can expect to participate in first aid skills and competitions, get a glimpse inside an ambulance, and enjoy colouring activities for the kids and CPR races to test their skills.
  
  St John Ambulance Australia will also be offering free eLearning throughout September to those who can’t make the training in person, this offer will be available across Australia. For more information click here 
  
  
• St John Ambulance Papua New Guinea (PNG) will join the International Federations, Societies, and charities on Friday 8th September to mark World First Aid Day at the St John Ambulance headquarters in Port Moresby. St John Ambulance PNG produced a short video (see below) on how you can help save a life in an emergency.

Did you know?

The 'First Aid’ journal began in 1884 and was an independent monthly magazine for members of St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross Society, and St Andrew’s Association. These publications are now classed as a historical record, and any first aid advice presented within them is not in accord with current recommended practice. Please click the link below to take a step back in time.

First Aid Journal July 1894 - June 1896: Museum of the Order of St John

We would like to thank all our first aid volunteers, staff, and Order members across the globe for the amazing work they all do, saving and improving lives on a daily basis.

For more on our work expanding first aid training worldwide 

7th September 2023