As part of its civil protection programme, API organises first aid training courses. These courses are aimed primarily at people living in border and/or isolated regions, who are both the most likely to be affected in the event of a natural or man-made disaster and the best positioned to react. First aid consists of mastering the techniques needed to stabilise an injured person at the first point of impact to increase the chances of survival until the rescue teams arrive.
Four first-aid training courses took place between December 2023 and mid-January 2024. Our French trainer, Sylvie Moretti, made two trips to Armenia to deliver these courses. Each course lasts two days, for a total of eight days of training. In addition to Yerevan, the provinces of Lori and Tavush have benefited from these initial courses. The ratio between the capital and other cities is 1:3. Sixty-five trainees received a diploma at the end of these courses, almost equally divided between men and women. The trainees come from a variety of social and professional backgrounds: almost half are healthcare staff, a quarter are volunteers, and the rest are mainly students. Forty-five complete individual first-aid kits were given to all adult graduates. Collective first-aid kits are offered to host organisations for training courses at community centres such as polyclinics or schools. For the coming months, two courses per month are planned, with priority given to the Tavush region.