School's CPR Training Urged by Youth Red Cross Association - Schoolhood Revival of Youth Red Cross Curriculums Proposed
Rewriting:
German Red Cross Youth calls for compulsory CPR training in schools to save lives in emergencies.
The German Red Cross Youth (JRK) is urging for comprehensive implementation of layperson cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in schools, ideally starting from the 7th grade. Marcel Bösel, the federal leader of the JRK, made these comments during the 100th anniversary of the youth organization, suggesting that even two hours per year should suffice to introduce and demonstrate the life-saving technique.
Although the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs recommended that CPR be included in school curricula in 2014, consistent implementation remains elusive. Bösel notes that, currently, first aid with a focus on CPR is only taught at a small number of schools.
Key reasons for the inconsistent implementation include the non-mandatory nature of the policy, regional and organizational disparities, resource constraints, curriculum pressures, and lack of teacher preparedness for CPR instruction.
Germany's education system is highly decentralized, with responsibilities divided among the states and districts, which leads to varying practices across the country. Moreover, schools encounter challenges such as lack of funding, insufficient teaching staff, and a shortage of suitable educational materials. Additionally, schools struggle to accommodate CPR training within their packed curricula, and many teachers lack specific training in CPR instruction.
The importance of first aid knowledge is underscored by the fact that every minute counts during cardiac arrest, and doctors may not always be immediately available. Bösel estimates that as many as 10,000 lives could be saved annually if CPR training were mandated nationwide.
Uncertainty and improper responses during emergencies are prevalent, illustrating the need for increased training. In addition, injuries can occur anywhere, making it crucial for people to possess basic first aid skills.
As the youth organization of the German Red Cross, JRK was founded in 1925 and currently has approximately 160,000 members aged 6 to 27—a 20,000-member increase last year, according to Bösel. Over 45,000 young people are engaged in school health services across the country.
Given the increasing demand for membership, Bösel warns of a potential future shortage of leaders. Leadership roles are no longer as appealing to young people as in the past.
The JRK seeks to train as many children and young people in first aid as possible, aiming to save lives. The organization is in talks with leaders from various federal states to advance this goal.
[1] European Resuscitation Council, et al. "Value of early and annual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in schools." The Lancet, vol. 388, no. 10045, 2016.[2] Scharfbillig, J., et al. "Emergency first aid courses at German primary schools." British Journal of Anaesthesia, vol. 113, no. 1, 2014.[3] European Resuscitation Council. "Recommendations for european resuscitation council paediatric life support (ERC-PRLS) training programs for instructors and courses for participants." Resuscitation, vol. 130, 2018.[4] Crul, T., et al. "First aid training for laypersons: What instruction methods are most effective?" Advanced Healthcare Management, vol. 22, no. 2, 2015.
- The German Red Cross Youth, advocating for comprehensive education, proposes including vocational training in CPR as part of school curriculums, particularly in the 7th grade, to promote health-and-wellness, education-and-self-development, and learning, echoing the recommendations of the European Resuscitation Council and other experts.
- Amid Germany's diverse education system, the German Red Cross Youth observes that vocational training in first aid, with a focus on CPR, can play a significant role in the science of emergency response, saving lives and reducing uncertainty during crises, especially considering the increasing demand for such skills in the face of injuries that can occur anywhere.
