IFRC Global First Aid Reference Centre Pascal Cassan (MD) Head Presentation briefing for counsellors – Geneva : 15June 2015

A common project Federation – French Red Cross

Memorandum of Understanding December 2012

The IFRC Global First Aid Reference Centre

The Global FA Reference Centre A First Aid RCRC Hub A First Aid RCRC Catalyser

Global FA Support Global First Aid Reference Centre First Aid Evidence-Based Group Global/Zonal and Regional First Aid Networks & NSs First Aid focal persons in IFRC Secretariat (Geneva)

Organization of the Global FA Reference Centre Head FA Senior Officer Junior Officers Translation Assistant Distance Work Canadian RC (2d/w) Distance Work Distance Work Distance Work

First Aid in the Movement

What is First Aid? First aid is an essential and cost-effective tool for saving lives First aid is more than just learning a series of techniques , it is an act of humanity First aid training is part of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement’s DNA First Aid is Science : “2011 International first aid and resuscitation guidelines” are based on science review and consensus developed from scientific evidence. First Aid is the First Link for Resilience for daily and disaster risks

Facts and Figures

A Survey about First Aid (GFARC - 2013)

Data from 77 National Societies who answered Population: 3 569 518 716 inhabitants (49% of the global population) Number of people trained in first aid by RC/RC NS: 14 178 498 Number of active first aid trainers in RC/RC NS: 114 944 RC/RC first aid trainers’ output: average of 123 people trained for one trainer Percentage of population trained by the RC/RC NS during the year: 0,4% IFRC Global First Aid Reference Centre has been collaborating in developing global communications and advocacy strategies to promote first aid and through this the role of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. Advocacy reports on first aid have called for improved legislation in 2009 (focused on Europe) and in 2010 (with a global focus). In 2013 the Reference Centre did a survey with the participation of 77 National Societies that once again identified gaps in laws and standards in first aid. Right now the Reference Centre is conducting a similar survey to update the results of two years ago.

First Aid & Law (1)

First Aid & Law (2)

Automated External Defibrillation (AED) & Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) law

The Cameron McKenna Study

Additional survey & Expectations of NS The Disaster Law Programme commissioned in 2014 pro bono research by the law firm CMS Cameron McKenna on 38 countries, putting together extensive information about problems deriving from legal gaps in first aid. Particular attention has been given to mandatory training requirements for first aid training, officials standards for the quality of training programmes (including experiences of countries without such standards) and protection from liability for people (particularly volunteers) who have first aid training. The Disaster Law Programme has commissioned in 2014 pro bono research by the law firm CMS Cameron McKenna on 38 countries, putting together extensive information about problems deriving from legal gaps in first aid. This and other recent desk studies and reports have collected substantial evidence on ways in which domestic legislation could be strengthened in this area. Particular attention has been given to mandatory training requirements for first aid training, officials standards for the quality of training programmes (including experiences of countries without such standards) and protection from liability for people (particularly volunteers) who have first aid training as well as the impact on them -in terms of willingness to act - when no such protection is available (or perceived to be available).

Countries included in the Cameron McKenna Study Algeria Guyana Russia Austria Indonesia Rwanda Brazil Iraq Senegal Bulgaria Jamaica Serbia Chile Japan South Africa China Jordan South Sudan Dominican Republic Kurdistan Sri Lanka Egypt Kuwait Thailand El Salvador Lebanon Tunisia Ethiopia Libya Turkey France Mexico Vietnam Germany Poland   Ghana Qatar

Compulsory first aid training by region

Official guidelines for first aid training

Liability shield provisions Good Samaritan law is not a reality for the huge majority of countries and represent a real brake for dissemination of FA education.

A Five Years Vision for First Aid Strategy… A Five Years Vision for First Aid

Vision Paper 2014-2020 First Aid Vision Paper Draft by the Global First Aid Reference Centre : Sent to all zones in the four official languages of IFRC, to have feedback, input, comments, proposition…

Six challenges for first aid REINFORCING THE LEADING ROLE OF RCRC IN FIRST AID HARMONIZING FIRST AID SHARING COMPETENCES DEVELOPPING RESOURCES AND SAVING MONEY PREPARING CITIZENS TO DAILY AND DISASTER RISKS DEVELOPING EVIDENCE BASED APPROACH AND RESEARCHES

Additional expectations of NS During a meeting organized in December 2014 by the IFRC First Aid Global Reference Centre, several National Societies: identified legal gaps around first aid and consequently made a clear call for legislation and directives that include first aid at school, at work, and for driving licenses. During a meeting organized in December 2014 by the IFRC First Aid Global Reference Centre - based in the French Red Cross – several National Societies identified legal gaps around first aid and consequently made a clear call for legislation and directives that include first aid at school, at work, and for driving licenses.

Legal initiatives suggested to promote first aid in the up-coming Red Cross Red Crescent International Conference Against all this background, a number of initiatives have been suggested to promote first aid training in the up- coming Red Cross Red Crescent International Conference

Consider the adoption of mandatory training requirements for first aid training In particular in the workplace, in schools, and for driver’s license applicants. Consider the adoption of mandatory training requirements for first aid training, in particular in the workplace, in schools, and for driver’s license applicants. Provisions related to mandatory first aid training do exist in a number of labour international conventions but otherwise there are no internationally recognized standards. Except for a few ILO Conventions (C155 & C161 on occupational safety and health) other ILO international instruments on first aid at work have no reporting or implementation mechanism.

Consider enhancing official national guidelines for the quality/content of first aid training programmes “Guidelines” does not mean here a “one-size-fits-all” approach to first aid training but rather that, regardless of national context, there are several key areas that should always be included as part of the curriculum worldwide. IFRC International First Aid Certification is actually expected by many national societies. Consider enhancing official national guidelines for the quality/content of first aid training programmes. “Guidelines” does not mean here a “one-size-fits-all” approach to first aid training but rather that, regardless of national context, there are several key areas that should always be included as part of the curriculum worldwide, eg.:   Take safety measures, including call for help. Observe vital life signs (from initial assessment to situation monitoring) Prioritize the unconscious victim. Take care of the victim who has breathing difficulties. Take care of the victim who has circulation difficulties. Control severe bleeding, and manage burns and wounds. And also the Pedagogical approach for Lay Public Education

Consider granting at least partial legal protection from liability for lay persons and volunteers Fear of a legal action is one of the main reasons why laypersons refrain from providing first aid to strangers. Consider granting at least partial legal protection from liability for lay persons (particularly volunteers) who have first aid training and have provided first aid assistance in emergencies. Fear of a legal action is one of the main reasons why laypersons refrain from providing first aid to strangers. For example, this is a major concern in many countries in Asia-Pacific. It is worth noting that just a few countries have legislation and jurisprudence that protect lay responders except in case of gross negligence. The protection is intended to reduce bystanders’ hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or manslaughter.  

Other initiatives

Other initiatives The Global First Aid Reference Centre is conducting: a survey to update the results of two years ago. a first aid Rapid Mobile Phone – based (RAMP) survey IFRC - Disaster Law Programme - is currently preparing a full report on law and first aid with new evidence about these three topics. IFRC has launched the “One Billion Coalition for Resilience” and the legal aspect is one important component of this coalition * The Global First Aid Reference Centre is conducting: a survey to update the results of two years ago. a first aid Rapid Mobile Phone – based (RAMP) survey to know which techniques are really used by the general public during real life * IFRC - Disaster Law Programme - is currently preparing a full report on law and first aid with new evidence about these three topics. The report shall be shared with Permanent Mission in Geneva in the summertime. Also note that IFRC First Aid Global Reference Centre has recently launched an online survey for National Societies about first aid, covering topics such as education, first aid in national context, mandatory training for driving licenses and protection from liability for persons voluntarily providing first aid. * IFRC Launch the “One Billion Coalition for Resilience” and the legal aspect is one important component of this coalition. IFRC announced the One Billion Coalition for Resilience as a new initiative to increase community and civic action on resilience. The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is in a unique position to establish and nurture the partnerships necessary to achieve the ambition of improving lives around the world.

We need You to highlight the legal aspect of first aid