Ireland lags way behind its European neighbours when it comes to knowledge of first aid, according to the Irish Red Cross.
Only about 5% of people in Ireland know the basic first aid techniques, compared with 80% in some other European countries.
This is despite the fact that death rates from cardiac arrest in Ireland are among the highest in Europe.
The Vice President of the Irish Red Cross, Tony Lawlor, said that parents, motorists and neighbours could greatly increase their abilities to save lives in a crisis by knowing just a few first aid techniques.
He said this was particularly relevant in rural communities in Ireland, where family and neighbours are usually the first at the scene of an accident or medical emergency.
Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers from throughout Europe are taking part in a major international first aid convention at the University of Limerick this weekend, in which teams compete against each other in first aid challenges.
It is the first time the convention is taking place in Ireland.
The International Red Cross is the largest voluntary organisation in the world with 97m members in 185 countries and is also the most recognised provider of first aid throughout the world.
