Participants follow a first aid training delivered through a blended learning approach.

Participants follow a first aid training delivered through a conventional face-to-face approach.

Participants do not receive any training

The content of the first aid blended learning training is standardised and based on the 2021 edition of the Basic First Aid in Africa manual from the Belgian Red Cross, covering first aid general principles and instructions for:

• emergencies (i.e. choking, unconsciousness with and without normal breathing, chest discomfort and stroke, poisoning, and severe external bleeding);
• injuries (i.e. skin wounds, burns, and injuries to muscles, joints, limbs, head, neck, and back);
• illnesses (i.e. fainting, fever, fits, and diarrhoea).

The training consists of 2 consecutive parts:

1. First aid theory is learned independently in a mobile application followed by an online test to ob-tain an admission ticket for the subsequent in-class training;
2. First aid skills are practiced during a 1-day in-class training facilitated by a certified first aid instructor of the Rwanda Red Cross.

Participants get at least 10 days to learn in the mobile application and obtain the admission ticket.

20-item multiple choice questionnaire about first aid topics using a numerical scale. Possible scores range from 0 to 20, with higher scores meaning a better outcome.

22-item observation checklist about first aid practical skills using a numerical scale. Possible scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores meaning a better outcome.

Costs associated with a first aid training, relatively to the gain in knowledge.