Only one in 10 in France feel confident giving first aid

September 13 is World First-Aid Day (Journée Mondiale du premier secours), and the latest statistics from the Croix Rouge (France’s Red Cross) show that while 40% of French residents have received training in first aid at some point in their lives (roughly equivalent to the UK), only 20% feel they could react in the event of a crisis or catastrophe, and not even 10% feel they have mastered the necessary first-aid skills. 

In the UK, that figure drops to 5%. 

Making a direct comparison with the US is harder, as statistics vary. However, a recent American Red Cross survey of 2,000 US adults showed that four out of every 10 have completed, or are interested in taking, a lifesaving course. 

Among those with prior training experience, seven out of 10 wanted to refresh their skills.

First aid in France

France’s first aid training rate is far below most other European countries. 

In Norway, for example, as many as 90% of people have received training as it is compulsory in schools, and in 15 countries around the world including Norway, Hungary, and Austria, first-aid training is mandatory for anyone learning to drive.

World First-Aid Day will be used to raise awareness across the media with the aim of encouraging more people to brush up their skills. 

Throughout France, several Croix Rouge centres will be offering free training sessions on how to use a defibrillator, for example, as well as other short training courses, most of which are available free of charge. 

To find a session in your area, search the Croix Rouge website, here. Alternatively, the French government provides a list of national groups that provide first aid training, here.

This year’s World First-Aid Day has a particular focus on climate change and its anticipated associated risks, including heatwaves, floods, droughts and forest fires. 

As such, it will focus on the treatment of conditions from burns to hypothermia, and dehydration to breathing difficulties.