School-Based First Aid Training Advocated by Youth Red Cross - School-based Revival of Youth Red Cross Training Advocated
The German Youth Red Cross (JRK) calls for mandatory CPR training in schools, with a focus on training students from the 7th grade and above. Marcel Bösel, federal leader of the Youth Red Cross, asserted that providing layperson training could save thousands of lives annually, particularly in cases of cardiac arrest when every minute matters.
According to Bösel, the topic of first aid, including CPR, is currently taught at only a fraction of German schools. This is despite a recommendation from the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs made in 2014 to integrate the topic into school curriculums.
The implementation of comprehensive CPR training across all German states remains inconsistent due to factors such as policy, resources, and political will. While several European countries have national laws mandating CPR training in schools, Germany does not, leaving the decision to individual schools or local education authorities.
Bösel suggests that the lack of implementation may be due to a combination of factors, including financial resources and political commitment. The Youth Red Cross aims to address this gap by providing training through school health services.
In an emergency, speed and confidence matter. With adequate CPR training, individuals can potentially save lives, as documented by the European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2025. The guidelines highlight the need for innovative teaching methods, such as blended learning and gamification, to make CPR training more accessible and engaging.
Founded in 1925, the German Youth Red Cross has around 160,000 members aged 6 to 27, with membership increasing by 20,000 last year, according to Bösel. The organization also faces the challenge of recruiting and retaining enough leaders to support their growing membership.
[1] European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2025[2] The German Red Cross[3] The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
- To combat this situation, the German Youth Red Cross (JRK) is advocating for a more comprehensive implementation of health-and-wellness education, including vocational training in CPR, by utilizing their resources to provide training through school health services.
- Recognizing the significance of science, mental-health, fitness-and-exercise, and other aspects of health-and-wellness, the European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2025 emphasize the necessity of innovative teaching methods, such as blended learning and gamification, for vocational training in CPR to ensure more individuals are confident and equipped to save lives.
