By Natascha Rivera
Copyright euroweeklynews
IN ORDER to prepare local residents for weather-related emergencies, the Red Cross of Almeria has prepared a first aid training course for the communities of the region. With the aim of giving residents the tools to be able to save lives and prepare them for future climate crises including DANA storms, heat-related ailments, and extreme drought, the new course improves the resilience of local communities and prepares them for the harsh reality of the climate crisis.
The courses, under the slogan “Saving lives in a changing climate,” raises awareness about the direct impact that extreme weather could have on the health of individuals. The first aid training, which reached 562 people from January to September of 2025, has so far yielded very positive results and cover everything from basic first aid to the proper usage of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Emergency Response, and other key aspects of first response.
The training also touched on resuscitation techniques, bleeding control, stress management, risk assessment, and decision-making under pressure, many of which are key skills not only in first aid but in other aspects of daily life. Natural disaster scenarios are also important to learn about, as Almeria is a high risk region for natural fires, flooding, and other types of dangers.
On a national scale, the Red Cross of Spain trained more than 112,000 people in first aid last year, the grand majority of whom did not belong to the organisation. The training of a regular citizen in first aid is crucial for emergencies in society, especially during peak season and summertime, when there are more people bustling about the province.
The organisation also reminds citizens about access to technological aids, one of the most accessible and useful being the Universal First Aid App: a free, multilingual resource available to all that provides step-by-step guidance in a wide variety of emergency situations, even if the user has no Internet access at the time of the emergency. The Red Cross also offers in-person and online courses adapted to all ages and skill levels.
The Red Cross said it best themselves: “A well-trained community is a stronger community.”
