Resuscitation Week 2025
From September 22 to 28, 2025, the city of Jena is taking part in the nationwide "Resuscitation Week". The aim is to raise awareness of first aid among as many people as possible and break down inhibitions in lay resuscitation. After all, anyone can save lives in an emergency. To this end, the Jena fire department has produced three illustrative videos that provide information on first aid measures and encourage citizens to act correctly in an emergency.
Mayor and Head of Department Benjamin Koppe emphasizes: "A cardiovascular arrest can happen to anyone at any time, often at home with family or friends. It is crucial to act at all - because every second counts. Even simple actions can save lives. The videos from the Jena fire department encourage people not only to know first aid, but also to apply it in an emergency."
Three videos show how it's done
Video 1: Mayor and Head of Department Benjamin Koppe opens the "Resuscitation Week" and points out that the most important thing is to act in an emergency. His appeal: everyone can save lives in an emergency, even if they don't have perfect command of all the measures.
Video 2: Emergency physician Dr. Sebastian Lang from Jena University Hospital explains the basic steps of lay resuscitation - checking, calling, pressing - and shows how easy first aid can be.
Video 3: In the third video, firefighter and paramedic Maximilian Maul explains how automated external defibrillators (AEDs) work and how easy the devices are to use.
Facts and figures: Why resuscitation is important
In 2024, there were 88 documented resuscitation missions in Jena alone - out of a total of 14,433 rescue missions. Around 70 percent of all cardiovascular arrests occur at home, often under the watchful eyes of relatives.
Despite the emergency call, many people do not start resuscitation immediately - but this is precisely the time that counts: every minute without help significantly reduces the chance of survival.
Of the 88 resuscitations in 2024, 14 people survived. A similar level is also expected in 2025: Around 60 interventions had already been registered by September. The long-term goal is to increase the survival rate to up to 50% with the help of a comprehensive first aid system.
Goal: strengthening the rescue chain
The Jena fire department emphasizes how important it is to take action yourself after making an emergency call. Many people still hesitate because they believe that the emergency call is enough. Yet a few simple steps can save lives - even before the emergency services arrive. The aim of "Resuscitation Week" is therefore not only to provide information, but also to encourage people to take courageous action.
Background information
The "Resuscitation Week" is supported nationwide by the National Action Alliance for Resuscitation (NAWIB) and is under the patronage of the Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken. The aim is to motivate more people to act courageously in an emergency - because the only mistake you can make is to do nothing.