Rotary Club Kyustendil is equipping students with practical first-aid skills and the confidence to respond to cardiac emergencies, as part of a wider initiative to make public spaces safer and better prepared to save lives.
A life can depend on the actions taken in the first few minutes of a medical emergency. Recognising this, Rotary Club Kyustendil has launched “A City That Saves Lives”, an initiative designed to improve emergency preparedness and raise awareness of the importance of immediate response to sudden cardiac arrest.
Launched during Heart Week, the programme began with practical training sessions for primary and secondary school students across the Municipality of Kyustendil. The sessions focused on recognising emergencies, providing first aid and learning how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Between 29 September and 2 October, the training reached eight educational institutions: Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov Vocational High School of Tourism, Vasil Levski Sports School, Sixth Primary School St Paisii Hilendarski, John Atanasov Vocational High School of Technology, Yordan Zahariev Vocational High School of Economics and Management, Professor Emanuel Ivanov Mathematics and Natural Sciences High School, St Kliment Ohridski Vocational High School of Agriculture, and Third Primary School Professor Marin Drinov.
The students were actively involved throughout the sessions. They asked questions, practised emergency response procedures and familiarised themselves with the operation of an AED. Their engagement demonstrated the value of introducing life-saving knowledge at an early age – not simply as theoretical information, but as practical skills that can one day make a difference between life and death.
A particularly important moment was the visit of Alexander Petrov, District Governor of Rotary District 2482, to the training session at Third Primary School Professor Marin Drinov. He had the opportunity to observe the practical activities and learn more about the initiative's progress.
The programme also included further sessions at Dr Petar Beron Language High School and First Primary School Sts Cyril and Methodius. The practical training was delivered with the professional support of the Volunteer Rescue Unit of the Zavet za Zemyata Association, led by Zdravko Velinov. Rotary Club Kyustendil expressed its appreciation for the team's dedication and ability to communicate essential life-saving skills in an accessible and engaging way.
From school training to a city-wide safety network
Educating young people is only the first stage of a much broader ambition. The next phase of “A City That Saves Lives” will focus on installing AEDs at key public locations throughout Kyustendil, clearly marking their positions and providing additional training for people working in the immediate vicinity.
The initiative recognises an essential principle: making life-saving equipment available is only part of the solution. People must also know where to find it, how to use it and have the confidence to act when an emergency occurs.
The club thanked the school management teams and teachers for their cooperation, and especially the students for their curiosity, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
By combining education, accessible emergency equipment and practical community training, Rotary Club Kyustendil is working towards a safer environment for everyone.
Because a city that saves lives is built not only with equipment, but with knowledge, preparedness and people who are ready to take action.
