Lifesaving 2.0: New app connects helpers in the Donau-Iller rescue service

Lifesaving 2.0: New app connects helpers in the Donau-Iller rescue service

In the Donau-Iller region, the savior clock is beating a new time. A latest initiative aims to significantly improve resuscitation care and increase the chances of survival from cardiac arrest. The emergency services area, which includes the districts of Günzburg, Neu-Ulm and Unterallgäu as well as the city of Memmingen, has established itself as a pioneer. For over a decade, callers in emergencies have been guided by telephone to carry out rapid resuscitation measures, with around 300 cases per year. The need to make every second count has led to a remarkable evolution of the system, now including water rescue.

What's new? An innovative smartphone app has been alerting volunteers in the “Region of Life Savers” for two years. These helpers are recruited from a wide range of medical professions as well as from volunteer fire departments and aid organizations. Thanks to this app, the next available helpers can be directed quickly to the scene - a decisive advantage that shortens the resuscitation time and thus improves the chances of survival.

A strong network of lifesavers

The integration of water rescue is a groundbreaking step. During the bathing season, water rescue organizations, such as the BRK water rescue service and the DLRG, take on the task of manning guard stations at bathing lakes and outdoor pools. In the event of a cardiac arrest near these stations, the water rescue team is also alerted in addition to the emergency services. These teams go out to provide first aid if there are enough helpers present, which is particularly important given the large number of bathers during the summer weekends.

Prominent local politicians such as the mayor of Memmingen, Jan Rothenbacher, and the district administrator of Unterallgäu, Alex Eder, have come out in support of the initiative. Together with the medical director of the emergency service, Steffen Maier, and the federal doctor of the DRK, Prof. Dr. Bernd Böttiger, the urgency and importance of early, guideline-compliant basic resuscitation is emphasized. In this context, Nicola Galm from Gesundheitregionplus Unterallgäu-Memmingen is pleased with the progress and sees the region as one of the most progressive in Bavaria.

The numbers speak for themselves

The statistics underline how important these initiatives are: every year in Germany, over 70,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest. Early resuscitation could prevent many of these fatal cases. While the layman resuscitation rate was around 43% in 2021, the latest survey for 2022 shows an increase to 51.3%. Nevertheless, compared to other European countries, Germany lags behind countries like Denmark, where rates of over 80% are achieved - especially thanks to compulsory revitalization curriculum in schools.

There are also plans to develop a defibrillator map that records all available defibrillators with location data and opening times. There are currently around 460 volunteer first responders and the aim is to increase this number to 1,000 by the end of the year. Interested parties must register and prove their qualifications to participate as a “lifesaver” in order to use the app. All helpers are covered by liability insurance during their work, which creates an additional incentive to participate.

Like District Administrator Dr. Hans Reichhart and the other people responsible emphasize that the future of resuscitation and rapid help lies in cooperation and constant improvement of the systems. It is up to the community to ensure that the Donau-Iller region takes on a role as a leading example in resuscitation care.