First Aid Newsletter

March 1, 2026 · 21:00 Uhr

Germany bystander CPR rate at historic low: only 17% intervene

German Red Cross

A new DRK study finds fewer than one in five witnesses of cardiac arrest in Germany actively intervene. Germany ranks in the bottom third in Europe, while Norway and Denmark exceed 70% lay rescuer rates.

CRITICALRead article

New ERC guidelines: tourniquet now part of basic first aid training

European Resuscitation Council

The ERC updated guidelines make tourniquet application mandatory in all European basic first aid courses from 2026, driven by rising stab injury rates in urban areas.

HIGHRead article

AED availability gap: Munich leads, Berlin falls behind

Federal Ministry of Health

New analysis reveals stark regional differences in defibrillator availability. Munich has 1 AED per 1,200 residents; Berlin only 1 per 4,800. Experts call for a national minimum standard.

MEDIUMRead article

Situation Report

Across Europe, bystander intervention rates in cardiac arrest remain critically low. The ERC reports fewer than 1 in 5 witnesses in Germany attempt resuscitation, well below the Scandinavian benchmark of 70%.

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