We have just concluded the final of the XXXII First Aid Championships of the Polish Red Cross. The event saw the participation of 16 teams representing all provinces that previously won in the district stages. They tested their skills in first aid, teamwork, and working under time pressure.

Among the scenarios were, for example, searching for a missing child and supporting a panicked pregnant mother, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, assisting people with stroke symptoms, choking, anaphylactic shock from an insect sting, a seizure, or an asthma attack. Participants also faced simulations involving traumatic amputation of a hand, a gunshot wound to the chest, open fractures, frostbite, hypothermia, burns, head injuries with loss of consciousness, and electric shock. An additional challenge was communication barriers; some of the actors spoke in a foreign language or had hearing impairments.

The high realism of the simulations and the sporting rivalry meant that emotions accompanied participants throughout the day. Each team had to demonstrate self-control, responsibility, and effectiveness in action. Young rescuers again proved that the knowledge and skills gained during preparations can have real significance in life-threatening situations. Sixteen five-member teams of secondary school students participated in the competition – one representing each province. All teams presented a very high level of preparation and involvement.

Close to 70 judges from all over Poland supervised the course of the competition, supported by volunteers from the Polish Red Cross, among whom the actors who played the injured with tremendous commitment often under demanding conditions deserved special recognition. Among them were also rescue dogs from the Medical Rescue Group PCK Bydgoszcz, which were part of one of the task stations.

The First Aid Championships were accompanied by a White Town and a Health Zone open to visitors at Cytadela Park. Participants were greeted with first aid demonstrations, presentations related to crisis situation preparation, and free preventive examinations.

The championships were patronized by: the Ministry of Interior and Administration, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Education, the State Fire Service, the Greater Poland Voivodeship Office, and the President of Poznań.

Results of the XXXII First Aid Championships of PCK

After summarizing the scores, the winners of this year's Championships were announced:

· 1st place – LO No. I in Kępno: Greater Poland

· 2nd place – Catholic High School in Szczecin: West Pomeranian

· 3rd place – I High School in Kozienice: Mazovian

This year's edition of the Championships was dedicated to the memory of Justyna Kowalska-Zych – an exceptionally engaged rescuer of the Polish Red Cross from Poznań.