From 22 to 28 September 2025, the Week of Resuscitation will take place nationwide. The action week, initiated by the German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (DGAI) and the Professional Association of German Anaesthesiologists (BDA), is under the patronage of the Federal Ministry of Health. As part of the “Save a Life” campaign, the population is to be encouraged to act immediately in the event of a cardiac arrest. The motto of the campaign is: Check – Call – Press.

According to data from the German Resuscitation Registry, which is supported by the DGAI, about 136,000 people in Germany suffered a cardiovascular arrest outside a hospital in 2024 – an average of 370 cases a day. Around 70 percent of these emergencies occur in the private sphere, about 15 percent in public spaces. Immediate measures can significantly increase the chances of survival. The steps are simple: check if the person is responding and breathing normally, dial the emergency number 112 and press firmly in the middle of the chest until help arrives.

The willingness to resuscitate has increased – 52 percent of first aiders now perform resuscitation measures, a step forward compared to previous years. Nevertheless, there is a need for further action. DGAI and BDA are therefore calling for participation in the numerous training courses in clinics, schools and public places in order to reduce inhibitions and increase the resuscitation rate.

More information and training materials are available at www.einlebenretten.de .

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.