September 9, 2026 Holiday — First Aid Day: Why These Skills Are Important for Everyone
September 9 marks World First Aid Day. It was established in 2000 at the initiative of national organizations that are part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This day is dedicated to the skills that can help save a person’s life before medical professionals arrive.
World First Aid Day was established in 2000. It was initiated by national organizations that are members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Since then, this day has been dedicated annually to promoting first aid and teaching people simple actions that may be needed in an emergency. The date of the observance is not fixed. It is held on the second Saturday of September, so the date changes every year. For example, in 2023, the second Saturday in September fell on September 9, so Ukrainian calendars and news outlets marked First Aid Day on that very day.
The main idea behind the holiday is to teach as many people as possible not to panic if someone nearby is injured or suddenly loses consciousness. In the first few minutes after an accident, there is often no doctor present with the victim. Help can be provided by an ordinary person who happens to be nearby. That is why the Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations conduct training not only for medical professionals. They involve schoolchildren, college students, company employees, volunteers, and others in these programs. The goal is simple—to provide people with the basic knowledge needed to take the right actions until professional help arrives.
Why First Aid Can Save Lives
An emergency can happen practically anywhere. A person might be in a car accident, suffer a severe cut, get a burn, lose consciousness, or suddenly stop breathing normally. In such cases, the very first minutes can be critical. First aid is needed to support the victim until medical professionals arrive. It is not a substitute for medical treatment, nor is it an attempt to perform a doctor’s job on your own. It involves simple actions that help save lives, reduce pain, and prevent a person’s condition from worsening.
One of the most important skills is correctly assessing the situation. Before helping someone else, you must make sure the scene is safe. Otherwise, the person trying to save the victim may put themselves in danger. After that, you need to assess the person’s condition and call for emergency help. If the situation allows, you can begin providing the necessary assistance based on your knowledge and skills.
What Is Taught in Classes
First-aid programs may vary depending on the organization and level of training. However, people are typically taught how to respond to the most common emergency situations. A separate section is devoted to bleeding. A person must be able to recognize life-threatening bleeding and take the correct actions until medical personnel arrive. This is especially important after traffic accidents, falls, workplace injuries, and other serious accidents.
Another important skill is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). During practical sessions, participants usually practice CPR on special manikins. This allows them not only to learn the theory but also to try performing the necessary steps themselves. People can also be taught how to help in cases of loss of consciousness, choking, burns, injuries, and other dangerous situations. Separately, they are taught how to properly call emergency services and what information to provide to the dispatcher.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies notes that every year, its network, together with national societies, conducts first-aid awareness events for more than 50 million people.
How This Day Is Observed
World First Aid Day is, above all, a day of learning, training, and practice. Various countries organize open classes, lectures, demonstrations, and workshops. Red Cross volunteers and instructors can demonstrate how to respond correctly to bleeding, loss of consciousness, or cardiac arrest. People are given the opportunity to practice on mannequins and ask experts questions.
Children and teenagers are often involved in these events. They aren’t taught complex medical procedures, but rather the basics—how to call for help, how to behave around an injured person, and what not to do. In Ukraine, similar events were also held in various cities. For example, in Kyiv, in honor of First Aid Day, workshops on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults and children were organized, along with training on how to assist in cases of loss of consciousness and bleeding. Participants were also informed about the contents of a home first-aid kit.
In other cases, training is conducted in schools, universities, workplaces, and public spaces. The format may vary, but the goal is the same—to ensure that people are not afraid to help and know where to start.
First Aid During Traffic Accidents and Other Emergencies
Special attention is given to traffic accidents during these training sessions. After an accident, a person may suffer serious injuries, and medical personnel may not always arrive at the scene immediately. In such a situation, it is important to ensure your own safety first. Do not thoughtlessly run out onto the road, approach a vehicle that might catch fire, or put yourself in any other danger.
If the scene is safe, you should call emergency services and tell the dispatcher where the accident occurred, how many people were injured, and what their condition is. Next, follow the dispatcher’s instructions and use your own first-aid skills. In 2017, as part of the events marking World First Aid Day in Kyiv, workshops were held on providing first aid in traffic accidents involving motorcyclists. Participants were shown how to respond to bleeding, loss of consciousness, and other dangerous situations.
Why It’s Important to Learn in Advance
Many people only think about first aid after they witness an accident. The problem is that in a real emergency, fear and panic can prevent you from remembering even what you once read online. That is why experts advise not to limit yourself to theory. Hands-on training helps you understand how to perform specific actions correctly and how to act under pressure.
It is especially important to refresh your knowledge periodically. First aid guidelines may change based on new medical evidence, and without practice, a person may simply forget the correct procedure. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies regularly updates international guidelines on first aid, resuscitation, and training. Updated guidelines were also published in 2026.
Interesting Facts About First Aid
First Aid Day has been observed since 2000. It was initiated by national organizations—members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The date of the observance changes every year. World First Aid Day falls on the second Saturday in September. Therefore, it was observed on September 9 in 2023, though the date may vary in other years.
Children are involved in the training. In various countries, schoolchildren are taught basic first aid skills and safety practices. The IFRC provides examples of programs in which children learn to provide assistance and respond during emergencies.
Millions of people participate in these training sessions. According to the IFRC, first aid awareness and education campaigns reach more than 50 million people each year.
First aid isn’t just for medical professionals. People without medical training can provide it if they have the necessary basic skills and act within their capabilities.
What You Can Do on First Aid Day
On September 9—which falls on the second Saturday of September—you can do more than just read about first aid; you can also test your own knowledge. For example, find a training course or hands-on workshop in your city.
It’s also a good idea to check your home first-aid kit. Make sure you know where the necessary supplies are kept and that everything you need is within reach. Another simple step is to find out in advance how to properly call for emergency help and what information you need to provide to the dispatcher. But most importantly—don’t try to do something you’re not trained to do. First aid must be safe for both the victim and the person providing it.
The Main Goal of First Aid Day
World First Aid Day reminds us that sometimes it’s not just a doctor who can save a person’s life. In the first few minutes after an accident, there may be an ordinary passerby, a relative, a colleague, a teacher, or a driver nearby.
Whether the victim remains in a stable condition until professional help arrives may depend on their actions. That is why knowing first aid is not just a useful skill for a specific profession. It is knowledge that anyone might need. And that is precisely why, every September, the Red Cross and Red Crescent draw attention to this topic around the world.
