Elementary school students in Göttingen: resuscitation training saves lives!

Elementary school students in Göttingen: resuscitation training saves lives!

There will soon be a new chapter in school lessons in Lower Saxony: from 2026, revival will be part of the curriculum in secondary schools. This is an important step because health education for young people is becoming increasingly important. In Göttingen, primary school students are already acting as little lifesavers and are enthusiastically learning the basics of resuscitation. “The openness and enthusiasm of the children works great,” says Kevin Henkies, head of the Herman Nohl School. Here, with the support of the Göttingen University Medical Center (UMG), all 14 classes took part in practical exercises that show the students how to act correctly in an emergency.

Cardiovascular arrest is one of the most common causes of death in Germany and time management plays a crucial role. Dr. Eva Rasenack, senior physician at UMG, emphasizes that children act as multipliers and can therefore reach even more people. The initiative to teach resuscitation in schools was passed by the Lower Saxony state parliament in January 2025. The aim is to increase survival rates in the event of cardiac arrest and at the same time allay students' fear of such a situation. Because in the event of a cardiac arrest, every minute counts, and quick help can save lives.

First-hand first aid

The Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe Harz-Heide also ensures that the students are given the necessary tools to react correctly in an emergency. They practice chest compressions on dolls and learn how they can support those around them. Interactive and multimedia materials are also available to clearly convey knowledge about resuscitation. On the Students Save Lives website, those interested will find numerous offers that can be downloaded free of charge, including training presentations, posters and even a resuscitation app for smartphones. These digital offerings are intended to support learners in dealing with the topic outside of class.

A look at the numbers shows that it is about tackling a very specific challenge. In Germany, around 120,000 people are reached by the emergency services every year in the event of a cardiac arrest, but resuscitation can only be attempted in 60,000 cases. Interestingly, half of these emergencies are not recognized by laypeople. This is alarming!

Successful initiatives

The resuscitation training initiative is an important step because chest compressions can be crucial. In addition, initial reports from projects in other primary schools in the Göttingen district show that children are able to learn the basics of resuscitation quickly and successfully. That gives hope; Because rapid resuscitation can save many lives year after year. Studies show that the layperson resuscitation rate in Germany has increased from just 14% in 2010 to now over 55%.

The whole of society benefits from these measures because it is a shared responsibility to save lives. Everyone who plays a role in this – be it in the classroom or at home – deserves thanks and recognition. Education and engagement are high on the agenda when it comes to saving lives.