Current status of implementation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in schools in Germany-results of a survey of ministries of all German states

In April 2019, the Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Supreme Court) ruled (III ZR 35/18) that teachers have a duty to provide first aid training in physical education classes. As early as 2014, the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs in the Federal Republic of Germany recommended that the German states (Lander) implement cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction in school lessons and train teachers for this purpose. In a survey, the responsible ministries of all Lander were asked by the German Resuscitation Council (GRC) to report their project status in this regard. Only 2 of the 16 states (Baden-Wurttemberg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) reported extensive implementation. Teachers conduct the CPR training in 75% of cases. Half of the teachers used larger professional CPR manikins and half used simple CPR manikins specially designed for teaching in schools. Teachers were trained in resuscitation by physicians, emergency first response organizations and ambulance personnel, some of whom also taught lessons themselves. As a result, 6 years after the publication of the recommendations of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Lander in the Federal Republic of Germany on CPR training in German schools, almost all Lander are still in the start-up phase. It is therefore essential to strongly encourage prompt implementation of the recommendation to implement CPR lessons by schools and Lander Education Ministries in order to significantly improve the survival rate after cardiac arrest in Germany. The goal is for all schools nationwide to provide CPR training and for teachers to be properly qualified.