School-Based Resuscitation Education Advocated by Youth Red Cross - School Youth Red Cross Urges Reintroduction of Educational Programs
Article:
In a call for enhanced emergency readiness, the German Youth Red Cross (JRK) advocates for the integration of Comprehensive Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training in schools from the seventh grade. Marcel Bösel, the federal head of the Youth Red Cross, emphasized this need while celebrating the centenary of the organization.
Bösel, speaking to the German Press Agency, highlighted the effectiveness of a simple two-hour CPR training per year in schools, stating that such training is sufficient to equip students with the lifesaving skills needed to perform CPR. Despite the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs recommending CPR training since 2014, comprehensive implementation remains inadequate, with first aid, particularly CPR, being taught at a surprisingly small number of schools, according to Bösel.
Currently, lower Saxony is the only federal state making CPR training mandatory in schools, while others do not follow suit. Education is a matter for the federal states in Germany, and partial blame for the delay in implementation may be attributed to financial resources and political will, Bösel suggested. He stated that the Youth Red Cross aims to train as many children and young people in first aid as possible, with schools and "school health services" being potential avenues to achieve this goal.
The urgency of first aid knowledge is underscored by the fact that every minute counts during a heart attack, and immediate medical assistance may not always be immediately available. The Youth Red Cross cites statistics indicating that at least 10,000 lives could be saved if layperson CPR training is implemented nationwide.
The crisis situation can occur anywhere, whether at school, during leisure time, or at home, and the Youth Red Cross notices widespread insecurity among people during such situations. Founded in 1925, the German Youth Red Cross currently has around 160,000 members aged 6 to 27, with numbers growing by 20,000 last year. Around 45,000 young people are involved in school health services nationwide, reflecting a high demand for membership.
However, Bösel warned of the future challenge of not having enough leaders to support this growth. Positions with leadership roles are losing their appeal in society, posing a potential problem for the Youth Red Cross in the future.
[Enrichment Data Use]The lack of mandatory CPR training in German schools is due to several factors, including the absence of national legislation, insufficient teacher training and resources, regional disparities, and implementation challenges despite recommendations. While international bodies like the European Resuscitation Council advocate for early and compulsory CPR training, successful implementation requires legislative support, trained instructors, and integration into the school system. Countries mandating CPR training in schools typically show stronger political and educational commitment, providing a model for Germany to follow.
- Vocational training in health-and-wellness, including mental health, could be integrated into the community policy as an extension of the Youth Red Cross's education-and-self-development programs, teaching students lifesaving skills and promoting a culture of first aid.
- Science could play a vital role in creating comprehensive vocational training programs for CPR, ensuring that the training is effective, updated, and accessible to all schools nationwide, thus contributing to a safer community.
- The German Youth Red Cross, with its extensive community outreach, could also incorporate learning opportunities in science, health-and-wellness, mental health, and education-and-self-development into its vocational training programs, empowering young people to take an active role in promoting their own well-being and that of their community.
