In May 2025, the Latvian Red Cross organized student first aid competitions across all regions of Latvia. This year, the event brought together a record number of participants – nearly 100 teams from primary and secondary schools across the country, proving that first aid is a skill students take seriously and responsibly.
In Kandava, Bauska, Rēzekne, Daugavpils, Lādezers, and Riga, team members had to respond to various simulated emergency scenarios – road traffic accidents, burns, snake bites, asthma attacks, chemical burns, amputations, foreign objects in wounds, and more. Special emphasis was placed on life-saving procedures, including cardiac massage, rescue breathing, and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
All tasks were designed to closely replicate real-life situations where immediate action and a clear understanding of first aid are crucial. The evaluation criteria included not only theoretical knowledge but also practical execution – speed, teamwork, emotional resilience, and communication with the victim.
To ensure the quality of the competition, judging was carried out by experienced Latvian Red Cross instructors, healthcare professionals, medical college lecturers and students, as well as volunteers with daily experience in first aid.
Now that the regional rounds have concluded, the strongest teams from each region are preparing for the National First Aid Competition, which will take place on 13 September 2025 at Latvia’s State Forests Nature Park in Tērvete.
The following teams will advance to the National Competition:
- Riga Secondary School No. 15 (primary school group)
- Riga Secondary School No. 34 (secondary school group)
- Limbaži State Gymnasium (Vidzeme)
- Ludza City Secondary School (Latgale, primary school group)
- Ludza Secondary School No. 2 (Latgale, secondary school group)
- Ilūkste Raiņa Secondary School – Primary School (South Latgale, primary school group)
- Daugavpils Technology Secondary School – Lyceum (South Latgale, secondary school group)
- Dobele State Gymnasium (Zemgale, secondary school group)
- Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium (Zemgale, secondary school group)
- Kandava Kārlis Mīlenbahs Secondary School (Kurzeme)
This experience gives students real confidence in their ability to act and contributes to a safer society.
On behalf of the Latvian Red Cross, we extend our sincere thanks to everyone – teachers, judges, municipal supporters, cooperation partners, actors, volunteers, and all those whose efforts made this competition possible!
Together, we are building a generation that knows how to act and isn’t afraid to help.
