School Revival of Red Cross Programs Urged by Youth Red Cross Association
Red Cross Urges Widespread School Implementation of Resuscitation Training
The German Youth Red Cross (JRK) is advocating for comprehensive resuscitation training in schools from the seventh grade and beyond. Marcel Bösel, the federal leader of the Youth Red Cross, has expressed this demand, stating that just two hours of instruction per year could save lives.
Boësel emphasized the importance of this training, noting that in instances of cardiac arrest, every minute counts, and a doctor may not always be immediately accessible. He estimates that as many as 10,000 lives could be saved if layperson resuscitation training becomes commonplace.
Although the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs has recommended including resuscitation in lesson plans since 2014, full implementation is yet to be achieved. Boësel laments that first aid, with a focus on resuscitation, is currently being taught at a limited number of schools.
The inconsistent implementation is due in part to Germany's decentralized educational system, which allows policies to vary from one state to another. Lower Saxony recently passed a resolution mandating resuscitation instruction, but most federal states do not yet require it.
The Youth Red Cross aims to train as many children and young people in first aid as possible, particularly through school health services. Nevertheless, Boësel anticipates a future shortage of leadership personnel, as societal leadership roles are not as attractive as they should be.
While Germany recognizes the significance of first aid and resuscitation education, the absence of national legislation and systemic support has hindered comprehensive implementation. Innovative teaching methods, such as blended learning and gamification, could help facilitate effective instruction. The 2025 European Resuscitation Council guidelines recommend legislative support for mandatory school-based resuscitation education from an early age.
[1] Comprehensive first aid and resuscitation training have not been universally implemented in all German schools primarily because, unlike some European countries, Germany currently only recommends rather than mandates CPR and first aid education in schools. [2] Key reasons include a lack of legislative mandate, funding and resource challenges, the need for trained educators and educational tools, and variability in public awareness and policy support. [3] While Germany recognizes the importance of first aid and resuscitation education and includes it in recommendations, the absence of national legislation and systemic support has slowed comprehensive implementation in all schools. The 2025 European Resuscitation Council guidelines call for mandatory school-based CPR education beginning early in childhood and supported by legislation and innovative tools.
- Implementing comprehensive education in science, health-and-wellness, and resuscitation techniques could potentially save thousands of lives, as advocated by the German Youth Red Cross.
- To expedite the widespread implementation of first aid and resuscitation training in schools, the Youth Red Cross suggests the adoption of innovative teaching methods like blended learning and gamification, as proposed by the 2025 European Resuscitation Council guidelines.
