A campaign designed to make first aid knowledge more accessible has earned international recognition for the Costa Rican Red Cross. The initiative “Minutos que impactan: Primeros Auxilios que Salvan Vidas” — “Minutes that Matter: First Aid that Saves Lives” — took third place in the Public Awareness category at the 2026 World First Aid Competition, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The recognition highlights an educational strategy created to help people understand how to respond to common emergencies and how appropriate action during the first few minutes can make a difference while professional assistance is on its way.
A campaign focused on education
The initiative was developed by the Costa Rican Red Cross in late 2025 with the goal of bringing basic first aid knowledge closer to the public through practical and easy-to-understand digital content.
The campaign addressed several situations that can occur in everyday life, including choking, burns, cuts, seizures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), cardiac arrest and psychological first aid.
Rather than focusing solely on emergency response professionals, the strategy sought to give members of the public simple information that could help them recognize an emergency and take appropriate initial action.
This approach is consistent with the Costa Rican Red Cross’s broader work. The institution provides emergency response, search and rescue, health services and first aid training throughout the country.
More than 1.2 million views
One of the campaign’s most notable achievements was its reach on digital platforms.
According to information from the Costa Rican Red Cross, the campaign generated more than 1.2 million views without paid advertising. Its content was distributed organically and was also shared by national media, helping extend the reach of the educational messages.
The result illustrates how digital platforms can be used to spread practical knowledge beyond traditional training environments and reach people who may not otherwise have access to first aid education.
From a regional competition to the world stage
The campaign first competed in a regional qualifying stage organized within the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
After winning the regional stage, the Costa Rican initiative advanced to the World First Aid Competition, where it represented the Americas. It ultimately secured third place in the Public Awareness category.
The international competition brought together initiatives from Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations from several countries, including Colombia, China, Bulgaria, Singapore, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Sudan.
Why first aid education matters
Emergencies can happen at home, on the road, during sports activities or in public spaces. In many cases, the people closest to the situation are the first ones able to respond.
For this reason, knowing basic first aid can be an important part of community preparedness. The objective is not to replace professional emergency services, but to help people respond appropriately during the critical moments before specialized assistance arrives.
The Costa Rican Red Cross has long incorporated first aid and emergency response into its humanitarian work. Its national services include emergency care and first aid training, helping communities develop greater capacity to respond to emergencies.
International recognition for local work
The third-place finish in Dubai represents international recognition for an initiative developed in Costa Rica with a clear educational objective.
“Minutos que impactan: Primeros Auxilios que Salvan Vidas” demonstrated that first aid information can be transformed into accessible digital content capable of reaching a large audience without relying on paid advertising.
Beyond the competition itself, the campaign highlights a broader message: giving people the knowledge and confidence to respond appropriately during an emergency can become an important tool for building safer and better-prepared communities.
