History & Milestones
From our very first training session to becoming a trusted name in first aid education, our journey has been guided by one mission: to empower people with life-saving skills. Over the years, we’ve expanded our reach, trained thousands of individuals, and partnered with companies, schools, and organizations to build safer communities.
1972: The Spark of a Lifelong Passion
At the age of 14, our founder, Mr. Marios Kaisis, embarked on his first aid journey by becoming one of the youngest trained, uniformed volunteers of the Cyprus St John Association and Brigade. This early achievement marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to saving lives.
Today, this historic photograph commemorating this milestone is proudly displayed in the Historical Archive Museum of Limassol, symbolizing the pioneering spirit of Cyprus's first uniformed first aid volunteers.
1974: Courage under Fire
At just 17, amidst the turmoil of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Marios Kaisis answered the call to serve, stepping forward as a volunteer first aid medic with the St. John Ambulance team he had joined in 1972.
In a time of great uncertainty and fear, he provided critical medical care to those in desperate need, tending to the wounded and offering relief to families caught in the devastation of war.
1975: Certified First Aid Instructor
In 1975, Marios Kaisis became a certified Lay-Lecturer in First Aid for Adults with the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade (Britain), a pivotal step in his lifelong commitment to first aid training in Cyprus.
This qualification empowered him to found MKT FIRST AID and deliver vital lifesaving knowledge to underserved communities, establishing the company's mission to empower everyone with the skills to save lives.
1988 – A Year of Milestones
In 1988, Marios Kaisis was promoted to Commanding District Officer of Limassol by St John Ambulance (Britain), reinforcing his role in advancing first aid education.
Upon becoming a Commanding District Officer, Major-General Michael Walsh, former commander of British Forces and appointed Director Overseas of St John Ambulance and a Knight of the Order of St John (KStJ), was sent on a diplomatic mission by the Sovereign head of St John Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Their historic joint interview with Phileleftheros highlighted royal support for emergency response efforts and first aid training in Cyprus.
Committed to shaping the next generation, Mr. Kaisis established Cyprus’s first St. John Ambulance cadet program, training first aiders as young as 11 years old. His dedication to youth education ensured that lifesaving skills became an integral part of community resilience, a principle that remains at the heart of MKT FIRST AID today.
1991-1992: International Aid and Recognition
During the Gulf War, Mr. Marios Kaisis was invited by the Kuwaiti Diplomatic Mission in Cyprus to train civilians in emergency response, CPR, and lifesaving rescue techniques.
Working alongside Kuwaiti and English volunteer soldiers, he helped prepare citizens for crisis situations. His dedication to global first aid education earned him an honorary advancement to Brigadier within the Association in 1991, reinforcing his commitment to lifesaving training beyond borders.
1992 – Revolutionizing First Aid Supplies
In 1992, Mr. Kaisis revolutionized the first-aid industry in Cyprus by becoming the nation's first and leading importer of HSE UK-approved First Aid Kits and Supplies, significantly improving access to quality emergency equipment. This pivotal milestone in MKT FIRST AID’s journey is captured in a key photograph from this era.
The photograph features Mr. Kaisis alongside influential figures such as at the left the Former President of the House of Representatives, Mr. Alexis Galanos, at the center, the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Stelios Koiliaris, and at the far right, the High Commissioner of Great Britain to Cyprus, David Dain, underscoring the monumental impact of this milestone.
1994 – First Greek-Language First Aid Film
Recognizing the need for accessible first aid training in Cyprus, Mr. Kaisis produced the first-ever First Aid instructional film in the Greek language, making life-saving knowledge on topics like CPR training, bleeding control, and choking response readily available to Greek-speaking communities.
This groundbreaking initiative reflects MKT FIRST AID ongoing commitment to innovative and inclusive education.
2004: Commitment to Excellence - HSE UK Certification
Marking another significant milestone , Mr. Kaisis became a Certified First Aid Provider of HSE UK, making him the sole First Aid Provider in Cyprus with dual certification license in both Cyprus and UK territories. This milestone reinforced his commitment to delivering world-class, internationally recognized first aid training.
2005-2006: Shaping National Regulations
In 2005, Mr. Marios Kaisis played a pivotal role in developing and promoting Cyprus’s Safety and Health at Work – First Aid regulations (ΚΔΠ 198/2009), setting higher workplace safety standards nationwide.
A year later, he was appointed by the Republic of Cyprus and the Cyprus Safety and Health Association to present the 2005 European Resuscitations Council Guidelines and Protocols, reinforcing his leadership in emergency preparedness and first aid education across Europe.
2009 – Pioneering Lifesaving Training for Children – “Grannies and Kids”
In 2009, Mr. Marios Kaisis launched Europe’s first free of charge pilot program to teach lifesaving skills to children, originally known as “Kids in Saving Lives.” This groundbreaking initiative, which predated the ERC’s "Kids Save Lives" program by six years, later evolved into the innovative ‘Grannies and Kids’ program, extending training to children as young as three years old and their guardians. A commemorative photograph, featuring Mr. Kaisis with Mr. Kostas Xampiaouris, then Principal of Elementary School Saint Panteleimona (later Minister of Education), captures the strong community support that fuelled this visionary project.
2014 - Inclusive Training for Disadvantaged Groups
In 2014, MKT First Aid launched groundbreaking, free first aid training programs for disadvantaged and organized groups in Cyprus, including a pioneering program in sign language for the Limassol Deaf Association.
This commitment to inclusivity, supported by over 50,000 euros in annual donations for free training, underscores our unwavering commitment to undeserved communities, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and emergency preparedness.
A commemorative photograph captures the proud moment of certifying the first deaf first aiders, a milestone celebrated by the president of the Cyprus Green Party, Mr. Giorgos Perdikis.
