ZAGREB, 13 Sept (Hina) – World First Aid Day, observed on 14 September, is an opportunity for raising awareness about the crucial role of First Aid in saving lives, and on this occasion, the Croatian Red Cross is organising several activities to improve the ability of citizens to provide first aid.

In Croatia, there are 24 deaths a day caused by a sudden cardiac arrest.

An estimated 5 to 10 patients out of 100 who have suffered a heart attack survive, and therefore the Red Cross is going to organise training courses to teach citizens about providing first aid.

In Croatia fewer than 10% of citizens can provide first aid if necessary, while in Sweden, it is 60%.

The average time from the emergency call to the arrival of an ambulance is 13 minutes in Croatia.

Patients who suffer a sudden cardiac arrest need assistance as soon as possible, and first aid should be applied four minutes after the heart attack.