Saving Lives Faster: How Apps and First Aiders are Revolutionizing Emergency Response in Germany
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Got a heart emergency? Seconds matter. And in cities like Essen, a technological twist on traditional first aid is making the difference between life and death. Mobile rescuers, a growing network of trained laypeople who respond to emergencies using first aid knowledge, smartphones, and the power of chance, are becoming the modern-day angels on our streets.
Started in 2013, the Mobile Rescuers app now boasts over 22,500 participants across nearly 40 cities and districts in six federal states. They're the first line of defense in emergency situations - dispatched simultaneously with emergency services if they happen to be nearby. But, according to emergency physicians, the network needs to expand to be effective everywhere.
The stakes are high: over 120,000 people nationwide suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year. Shockingly, only one in ten survives due to the average nine-minute response time of emergency services. First aider apps, already popular in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, can bridge that gap.
"After three minutes, the brain starts to die," explains Jan Kuhlmann, Senior Inspector at the Essen Fire Department and responsible for Mobile Rescuer training. Essen, with its well-established system, demonstrates the system's value in both densely populated urban areas and rural locations. Long distances and traffic jams make quick help difficult, making the Mobile Rescuer network all the more valuable.
Trained volunteers are vital; a basic first aid course is not enough. The system's success depends on ensuring that those sent to emergencies can perform effectively. The focus of training, therefore, is on technical procedures rather than resuscitation techniques. Since its implementation in 2019, the over 1,000 helpers in Essen have been alerted about 1,900 times and have actually responded to over 550 of those calls, often arriving before the emergency services.
The Mobile Rescuer idea started with Dr. Ralf Stroop, an East Westphalian emergency physician. After witnessing an ambulance in his neighborhood, he realized he could have given crucial assistance if only he had known about the emergency in time. That was the spark that led to the creation of the life-saving app.
Today, several similar systems coexist in Germany. In Baden-Württemberg, the "Region of Life Savers" dominates, while the "Corhelper" app connects thousands of first aiders across Germany. Schleswig-Holstein even has its statewide system. Despite differences in details, providers are working to establish common standards and compatibility across systems.
However, technology is just part of the equation. Active engagement of participants is essential to ensure the network remains effective. Whether through joint activities, social media, or sharing success stories, keeping participants active and engaged is key.
Emergency medicine experts support first aider systems and advocate for comprehensive and legal anchoring. These apps are currently the most promising strategy to improve survival rates in cardiac arrests, says Clemens Kill, director of the Center for Emergency Medicine in Essen. However, despite efforts to train laypeople in emergency situations, the rate of resuscitation in Germany remains lower than that of other countries.
The challenge lies in training an entire population to respond effectively in emergencies. "It's naturally difficult to teach people something they usually only need decades later," explains Kill. To bridge this gap, involving first responders from the emergency services, such as police officers and firefighters, is crucial. Legal frameworks must also include the use of first aider apps among the core responsibilities of the rescue services, emphasizes Kill.
First aider apps, yet to be fully embraced in Germany, hold potential to revolutionize emergency responses. As technology advances, it's likely we'll see these systems becoming more prevalent - saving more lives in the process. The future of emergency response is here, and it's powered by apps and a network of dedicated individuals.
- First aider
- First aid
- Germany
- Death
- Fire department
- Apps
- Netherlands
- Lifesaver
- Mobile
- Scandinavia
- In the future, the networks of first aid responders, like Mobile Rescuers and similar apps, might be bolstered through more vocational training programs, equipping individuals to respond efficiently in emergency situations.
- The integration of first aider apps, such as Mobile Rescuers, into the legal responsibilities of emergency services and the support of a comprehensive and continuous community policy on health-and-wellness could potentially reduce deaths due to sudden cardiac emergencies.
