Bremen Schools to Offer CPR Training with ADAC Foundation Support | Life-Saving Skills for Students

A new initiative is underway in Bremen, Germany, to integrate life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training into the curriculum of secondary schools. Supported by the ADAC Foundation, in partnership with the Senator for Children and Education and other collaborators, the program – dubbed “Bremen rettet” (Bremen Saves) – aims to equip students with the skills to respond effectively in emergency situations.

Expanding Life-Saving Skills

The ADAC Foundation is providing substantial support to the effort. This includes the provision of 1,110 CPR training manikins, ensuring all 74 secondary schools in Bremen and Bremerhaven have the necessary equipment for practical, hands-on training. The foundation is also supplying comprehensive teaching materials, such as teacher guides, presentations, and worksheets.

Did You Know? The ADAC Foundation is providing 1,110 CPR manikins to schools in Bremen and Bremerhaven, ensuring each of the 74 secondary schools has the resources for regular training.

A Collaborative Approach

According to Christina Tillmann, Board Member of the ADAC Foundation, “Bremen shows how to systematically and jointly advance life-saving measures.” She emphasized the importance of partnerships that combine education, health, and responsibility, noting that teachers and school social workers will be empowered to save lives and pass on this knowledge to future generations. Tillmann also stated that reanimation is “an expression of social cohesion,” highlighting the importance of helping one another.

Expert Insight: Integrating CPR training into schools represents a proactive approach to public health. By equipping young people with these skills, communities can potentially increase bystander intervention rates in cardiac emergencies, improving survival outcomes.

Implementation and Expansion

The program will be rolled out in phases. The initial phase, beginning in the 2025/2026 school year, will focus on establishing the necessary infrastructure, including equipment distribution, teacher training, and public awareness campaigns. Mandatory CPR instruction will then begin in the 7th and 8th grades in the 2026/2027 school year, with plans to expand the program to include grades 7 through 10 by the 2028/2029 school year.

This initiative in Bremen builds upon the ADAC Foundation’s broader efforts to promote life-saving skills across Germany. Bremen is now the fourth German state – following North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland, and Bavaria – to partner with the ADAC Foundation on such a program, with the ultimate goal of establishing a nationwide culture of resuscitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of the “Bremen rettet” program?

The goal is to equip students in Bremen’s secondary schools with the skills to respond effectively in emergency situations by providing CPR training.

When will the CPR training become mandatory?

CPR training will become mandatory for students in the 7th and 8th grades starting in the 2026/2027 school year, and will expand to grades 7-10 by 2028/2029.

What is the role of the ADAC Foundation in this program?

The ADAC Foundation is providing 1,110 CPR training manikins, comprehensive teaching materials, and support for monitoring and evaluating the program’s effectiveness.

As more communities consider similar initiatives, how might widespread CPR training in schools impact overall public health outcomes?