Bucharest residents and tourists will be able to participate on Monday free of charge in practical first-aid demonstrations organised in the underpass at University Square, where volunteers from the SMURD Foundation will demonstrate emergency response techniques as part of the ‘Life Savers' campaign.

The event is organised by Groupama and the SMURD Foundation and marks World First Aid Day, celebrated this year on 12 September.

The demonstrations will take place between 4.00 pm and 8.00 pm, during which time volunteers from the SMURD Foundation will show participants what to do when someone needs urgent help and how they can help save a life until the specialist teams arrive.

'Bucharest residents visiting the information point in the underpass at University Square will have the opportunity to learn essential life-saving techniques through practical exercises guided step-by-step by volunteers from the SMURD Foundation,' the press release reads.

The programme includes interactive sessions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), the Heimlich manoeuvre and how to pack a survival kit.

The need for such courses is also highlighted by a national survey carried out by Groupama in June 2026, according to which 82 per cent of Romanians are unsure or state that they do not have the necessary knowledge to administer first aid correctly, whilst only 17.4 per cent believe they would know how to act correctly.

At the same time, one in five Romanians say they have witnessed an emergency situation in which first aid was required, whilst only 18 per cent of respondents have ever taken a first-aid course.

'The data thus reveals a significant gap between situations in which people may be called upon to intervene and their level of preparedness for such moments,' the press release reads.

The organisers also presented five basic recommendations for emergency situations. 'Check that the area is safe. Do not put yourself in danger to help someone else. The rescuer's safety is the first priority,' is the first recommendation.

Another recommendation is to call the single emergency number 112 as quickly as possible. 'Call 112 as soon as possible. Say clearly what has happened, where you are, and follow the operator's instructions. Romanian legislation stipulates that reporting an emergency to 112 must be done before or at the same time as administering first aid,' the document also reads.

If the person is not breathing, the recommendation is to begin resuscitation. 'If the person is not breathing, start resuscitation. Do not passively wait for the emergency services to arrive. Follow the dispatcher's instructions and begin resuscitation, if the situation requires it.'

Furthermore, if a defibrillator is available, it must be used in accordance with the device's instructions and those of the dispatcher. 'Don't worry that you're not a doctor. In an emergency, it is more important to know the basic steps and call for help quickly than to stand by as a bystander for fear of making a mistake. Practical training can turn a panicked reaction into a proper response,' is another recommendation put forward as part of the campaign.

The 'Life Savers' campaign, run by Groupama in partnership with the SMURD Foundation, aims to improve the public's preparedness to administer first aid and to encourage the correct response in the first few minutes of an emergency.

Over 16,000 Romanians have participated in the programme so far and learnt rapid response techniques. As part of the campaign, free first-aid courses are being organised in several towns and cities across the country. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Nicoleta Banciulea; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)