First Aider Symposium 2026: Accident up close!
On October 31, 2026, the 6th First Aider Symposium will take place at the KKL Lucerne. The event follows an accident from first aid on site to air rescue and rehabilitation. Around 25 exhibitors will present their offerings, while experts will talk about sports injuries, air rescue, rehabilitation and documentation requirements.
The 6th First Aider Symposium on October 31, 2026 at the KKL Luzern takes a special approach: it follows an accident up close - from first aid on site using the example of a sports injury to air rescue and the sometimes long road back to life. The event is aimed at all first aiders, whether beginners, advanced or professionals, whether Samaritans, company paramedics, safety officers, private individuals or blue light organizations.
First aid for sports injuries
Hanspeter Betschart, Head Physician at the Berit Sports Clinic and Chief Medical Officer of Swiss Olympic, talks about various sports injuries and the necessary first aid. It's not just about professional athletes at major events, but also about common injuries in amateur sport - for example at grassroots tournaments, where many a cruciate ligament has been torn.
Air rescue in rough terrain
Sometimes transportation by helicopter is unavoidable - either because it has to be done very quickly or because there is no other way to the accident site. This applies to hikers, skiers, forestry workers, farmers and many others. Dr. Oliver Reisten, Medical Director of Air Zermatt, explains how an air rescue works and what first aiders can and should do.
The way back to life
First aiders often do not know what happened to the patient once the emergency services have taken over. Dr. Christian Sturzenegger, Chief Medical Officer at the Bellikon Rehabilitation Clinic, looks after patients on their way back home. In his presentation, he uses case studies to explain what happens after an operation in an acute hospital and how patients find their way back into life, into their family, into society and into work.
Documentation and data protection
After an incident, first aiders often still have work to do. Especially if an accident happened at work, they should document their first aid. This is best done during the operation with the help of a log, a copy of which they give to the emergency services. However, such logs must not be accessible to everyone. Roger Berger and Bruno Ducceschi from the board of the Swiss Association for Industrial Paramedics (SVBS) explain when first aiders should document their interventions and what they need to pay attention to.
Further training and supporting program
The First Responders Symposium 2026 in the Lucerne Hall of the KKL Luzern places great emphasis on the supporting program and other added value. After each presentation, there will be time and space to ask questions to the speakers. The breaks offer opportunities for discussion and networking, and around 25 exhibitors will also be presenting their products, courses and other services. All presentations will be simultaneously translated from German into French. 3.5 hours will be credited towards the IVR certificate and 2 SGAS continuing education points will be awarded.
Last year, a total of 420 first aiders attended the first aider symposium at the KKL Lucerne. The joint event of the SVBS and IVF Hartmann will take place on October 31, 2026. Further information and registration options are available at firstrespondersymposium.ch. The registration deadline is October 24, 2026.
