The initiative, developed in conjunction with the Canary Islands Society of Pediatrics and Mary's Meals, promotes early learning of empathy and how to act in emergencies.
The series is designed for children aged 7 and up, combining storytelling, human values, and practical training to teach how to act calmly in emergencies.
The College of Physicians of Las Palmas, in collaboration with the Canary Islands Society of Pediatrics and the organization Mary's Meals, has launched "Save lives with Gaspar," an educational project that transforms the learning of first aid into a narrative experience set in emblematic locations in Gran Canaria.
The ultimate goal of “Save Lives with Gaspar”, a children's series that combines storytelling and health education, is to teach young children how to recognize an emergency, ask for help appropriately, and act calmly in a risky situation, while promoting values such as empathy, cooperation, and solidarity.
For Luis Peña, president of the Canary Islands Pediatric Society, this is a work “worthy of admiration, not only for its excellent writing, but also because it manages to convey the importance of saving lives through a narrative deeply connected to the island of Gran Canaria.” He also emphasized that the book “stems from a clear desire to help people, and especially families, with the aim of offering a service of great social value that extends beyond the purely medical perspective.”
Elizabeth Hernández, president of the Las Palmas Medical Association, explained the importance of teaching basic first aid. "The book does so naturally. It talks about asking for help, staying calm, and understanding that, in an emergency, the first thing is not to feel alone and to know who to turn to. And it does so from the real-life experience of those who know emergencies firsthand, but have decided to translate it into friendly, accessible, and useful language for any child," she said.
Using visual language adapted for children, each story combines the excitement of an adventure with practical, real-life steps. The protagonist, Gaspar, explores different corners of the island—from Roque Nublo to urban spaces in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria—and, through his experiences, transforms medical concepts into simple gestures that anyone can remember and apply.
Jesús López Santana, a doctor specializing in Family and Community Medicine, states that "Project Gaspar was born out of the need to bring first aid to families and educational centers in a way that is understandable, useful and adapted to everyday life."
For her part, Carmen Pueyo Asensio, a medical specialist in Ophthalmology, emphasizes that “we wanted to create an educational tool that was approachable and fun, but with rigorous content that really helps people know how to act in an emergency.”
Both authors agree that their teaching vocation and clinical experience have been key to shaping this pioneering initiative, whose first result is the book 'Travel with Gaspar to Gran Canaria'. "It's a children's adventure that allows them to discover the island while learning basic first aid skills that can save lives," they explain. They also indicate that the project has significant institutional support, adding that "the collaboration of the Las Palmas Medical Association, the Canary Islands Society of Pediatrics, and the NGO Mary's Meals reinforces the rigor, reliability, and social impact of the Gaspar Project," while noting that this "encourages us to continue growing and reaching more families and schools."
The story includes age-appropriate instructions for identifying emergencies, distinguishing when to intervene and when to wait for professional help, communicating with 112, and acting in cases of choking using safe maneuvers.
In addition, the project includes supplementary educational materials used in first aid workshops: guides for teachers and families, activities, and practical exercises that reinforce learning both in the classroom and at home. These tools strengthen confidence and emotional memory, ensuring that the skills acquired can be applied in real-life situations.
The initiative is based on scientific evidence: people trained in first aid are two to four times more likely to intervene effectively in an emergency. Educating people from a young age not only increases survival rates but also fosters responsibility, empathy, and social cohesion.
'Gaspar Saves Lives' can be purchased for 16,90 euros through www.edicionesalgorfa.es or soon in physical stores of Librería Agapea, La librería Sonrisa del Sol, Librería del Cabildo de Gran Canaria, La Casa del Libro and Librería Infantil El Hada Lucía.
