The six Caribbean National Societies supported by the  Ready 360/ 3 Océans programme have shown a high interest in renewing their first aid equipment for both training and emergency requirements. In this effort, the GFARC team in the Americas conducted inventories along with the NS, in order to provide a big picture of their needs and to forecast as best as possible the upcoming delivery of new materials in 2025.

While fostering valuable discussions on the importance of developing regional standards and curricula at a regional scale, the GFARC team was able to conduct full inventories within the  National Societies offices in Saint-Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda.

A need for both long-lasting and immediate-use first aid material

As much as the GFARC team analysed a wide range of criteria (figures, references, conditions, in-service dates, among others), it also identified common priorities for the first aid supply at a regional level. As such, renewing adult, infant and baby-size manikins are top priorities for the vast majority of West Indies Caribbean National Societies. New manikins would indeed allow the NS to address many specific needs, including paediatric training. Besides, inventories have put emphasis on the necessity to reconstitute NS’ training AED- Automatic External Defibrillators, in order to provide effective Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation demonstrations. In addition, refills of basic first aid consumables, such as Basic Life Support first aid kits, is a regional concern as well.

Eventually, the supply and renewal of First Aid materials is expected in Spring 2025 and will benefit the NS of Saint-Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Grenada, Saint-Lucia, Saint-Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda, as part of the Ready 360 / 3 Océans programme. This material will foster their ability to train life-saving skills to the general public whether they are youngsters, private-sector employees, or public officials.