Life-saving course introduces in North Rhine-Westphalia
In a bid to improve emergency preparedness among young people and increase survival rates from cardiac arrests, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) will integrate a structured reanimation (CPR) training program into its secondary school curriculum starting from the 2026/27 school year.
Mandatory Training for All Students
The training, which is compulsory for students, will typically be incorporated into health education or sports classes. This move is aimed at equipping the youth with life-saving skills early on.
Curricular Integration and Standardized Approach
The program will be integrated into the existing curriculum framework, ensuring that all secondary schools follow a standardized approach. This standardization will ensure that students across NRW receive the same high-quality training.
Comprehensive Training Content
The training will cover basic life support (BLS) techniques, including chest compressions and rescue breaths. Students will also learn how to use automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and recognize the signs of a cardiac arrest, as well as the steps to take in an emergency, such as calling emergency services.
Regular Refresher Sessions
Students will receive initial training and regular refresher sessions to maintain their skills. This ongoing training will help students to remain confident and competent in their ability to respond effectively in an emergency.
Qualified Instructors and Practical Training
Teachers will receive special training, or qualified emergency personnel will be invited to conduct sessions, ensuring high-quality instruction. The emphasis on practical, hands-on training using manikins and AED trainer devices aims to build confidence and competence among students.
Assessment and Certification
Some form of assessment and/or certification may be provided to verify student competence in reanimation techniques. This will give students a sense of achievement and reinforce the importance of their new skills.
Collaboration with Emergency Services
The program encourages cooperation with local fire departments, rescue services, and ambulances to offer realistic training and familiarize students with professional responders.
Empowering Young People
This structured approach in NRW aims to empower young people with life-saving skills and to embed reanimation knowledge sustainably in school education. This aligns with broader nationwide goals to increase bystander CPR rates and improve outcomes for cardiac arrest victims.
Preparing for the Future
In about a year, trained teachers will begin training students in life-saving techniques. All around 2,100 schools in North Rhine-Westphalia will be equipped with reanimation dummies and trained teachers. This initiative is a significant step towards more safety and responsibility in everyday life.
Long-Term Goals
Advocates such as Dr. Carola Holzner, also known as "Doc Caro", hope for a comprehensive first aid training for all children in Germany in the long term. With this initiative, North Rhine-Westphalia is setting a sign for more safety and responsibility in everyday life.
Cooperation partners such as the German Heart Foundation, the Björn Steiger Foundation, the ADAC, and the medical chambers will provide teaching materials, videos, and further training. Teachers will be trained in special courses for reanimation training.
Minister Feller's Vision
Minister Feller emphasizes that reanimation should be as natural as riding a bike. NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst made a public promise that reanimation training will be a permanent part of the timetable in NRW secondary schools from 2026, starting from grade 7. Students in grades 7 to 9 will learn the "Check - Call - Compress" schema for reanimation.
This decision is viewed as a big step towards more safety by "Doc Caro". With this initiative, North Rhine-Westphalia is taking a significant step towards preparing its youth to respond effectively in emergency situations and potentially saving lives.
Broader Skillsets for Students
Building on the focus on science and health-and-wellness, students in North Rhine-Westphalia will also gain competencies in fitness-and-exercise and therapies-and-treatments through the integration of a comprehensive first aid training program.
Holistic Learning Experience
This program, encompassing learning in education-and-self-development, will offer students a well-rounded experience that goes beyond the traditional curriculum, equipping them with valuable life skills.
Lifelong Learning and Adaptability
The emphasis on continuous learning and updated knowledge emphasizes the importance of adaptability in the modern world, thus fostering a generation of responsible, resourceful, and resilient young people.
