To help equip residents with these life-saving skills, Dubai has launched two major free initiatives—the nationwide Community Readiness program and the Dubai Heart Safe City movement led by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Both initiatives aim to empower everyday citizens to respond confidently during the critical first minutes of a medical emergency.

In support of these efforts, UNITRI organized the registration of its members for the Free CPR & AED Training, encouraging more individuals to become prepared and confident first responders.

On July 18, 2026, a total of 23 UNITRI members participated in the two-hour training session, where they learned essential CPR techniques, proper AED operation, and the importance of acting quickly during cardiac emergencies.

Why Members Joined

Every participant had their own reason for signing up, but they all shared one common goal—to learn skills that could one day save a life. For Cheska, the decision to attend was driven by a desire to be better prepared for emergencies.

“As a community leader, I want to be more prepared to help the people around me, especially during our outdoor activities where people are often pushing themselves and dealing with challenging weather.”

Why CPR/AED Training Matters

A Coach's Perspective

As someone who regularly guides and looks after others, Coach Alex believes that being prepared to respond to emergencies is part of being a responsible leader.

“It equips me to respond confidently during a cardiac emergency, where every second can save a life. It is essential to provide immediate care until medical professionals arrive. It helps to protect not only my family or athletes but anyone in need.”

A Member's Perspective

For Joey, CPR and AED training is an important investment that benefits every member of the community. 

“Oftentimes, we hesitate to do something because we are afraid. That fear emanates from lack of knowledge and proper training. We want to save lives, but we are not properly informed and trained. Being a member of a community that endures intense training in running, swimming, and cycling, it is very essential that this training is conducted for its members. The environment and the nature of the activities require it. We can save lives if we are trained in it and equipped with the right knowledge.”

A Valuable Takeaway

One lesson can make a lasting impact. Cheska reflected on the knowledge and experience that stood out most during the training.

“My biggest takeaway was learning that staying calm and knowing what to do in an emergency can make a big difference. It gave me more confidence to act quickly and help someone when they need it most.”

A New Perspective

Ashley shared how the training changed the way she views emergency situations and prepared her to respond with greater confidence.

“This training has given me a more grounded perspective—the idea of an emergency and responding to one feels less daunting after all the knowledge the training has imparted. Because of that, my confidence in my capability to help another in cardiac arrest has grown tremendously. I now believe in myself to not freeze up and panic if such an emergency occurred.”

Putting Knowledge into Action

Learning CPR and AED is only the first step. Joey explained how he plans to use these life-saving skills in his daily life and workplace.

“I felt that I have an obligation to the people around me to do something in the right way whenever a situation like this arises. We don’t have a medically trained professional in the family; thus, getting this training is a relief. At least if an emergency happens, I have firsthand knowledge that could save their lives.”

A Message to Future Participants

Beyond gaining life-saving skills, the participants hope their experience will inspire others to take the same step. For LA, CPR and AED training is not just about learning a procedure—it is about being prepared to make a meaningful difference when someone's life is at stake.

Question: What would you say to someone who is considering taking this training, especially young adults?

“I really appreciate that they are willing to train people on how to administer CPR and use an AED for the purpose of saving lives. With the increasing number of cardiovascular emergencies and drowning incidents caused by unpreparedness, these skills are becoming more important than ever. I also believe that having the knowledge and ability to save someone’s life gives me a strong sense of purpose. Being able to help someone in a life-threatening situation would bring a deep sense of fulfillment, satisfaction, and achievement.”

To conclude, LA summed up the entire experience in just one sentence.

“Overall… My experience was great, and the training highlighted the importance of knowing the correct procedures and responding confidently, ethically, and appropriately in an emergency.

Our members’ experience serves as a reminder that anyone can learn the skills needed to respond in an emergency, and that being prepared today could mean saving a life tomorrow.

Although Coach K is already CPR and AED certified, he still encourages all members—including those who already hold a certification—to attend refresher training. According to him, one of the biggest reasons is to keep knowledge and skills up to date. He also noted that many coaches may have been certified as first aiders years ago but still hesitate or lack confidence when faced with a real emergency. By attending refresher courses every two years, participants have the opportunity to review proper techniques, stay current with best practices, and become more comfortable and confident in responding to emergency situations.

So, if you were unable to attend, another Free CPR & AED Training is scheduled for August 1, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. We encourage all members—whether you are learning CPR and AED for the first time or renewing your existing certification—to take advantage of this valuable opportunity. Investing a few hours to refresh your knowledge today could make a life-saving difference when someone needs your help tomorrow.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedabDBrmNtRhCewhlfkvWXukZxVRqlCog4tccqeLrf6tp3aQ/viewform