May 7, 2025

The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) proudly announces the launch of its latest initiative, the "Policy Toolkit: CPR Training for a New Generation of Lifesavers." This comprehensive toolkit is designed to enhance the effectiveness of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training among young people across Europe, equipping National Resuscitation Councils (NRCs) with the insights and best practices necessary to optimise their educational programmes.

A New Generation of Lifesavers

The ERC is dedicated to improving the readiness of populations to respond to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Research indicates that CPR can be taught at any age, with children as young as six years old capable of making a significant difference in the survival of SCA victims. By starting CPR training early, individuals are more likely to develop the practice, awareness, and confidence needed in emergency situations.

Across Europe, various initiatives target school-aged children, teaching them how to recognise the signs of SCA, contact emergency services, and perform CPR, including the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Schools, sports clubs, and youth groups provide an ideal setting for this training, fostering responsible citizenship from a young age. However, approaches to teaching CPR vary by country, influenced by different healthcare systems, educational frameworks, and cultural contexts.

Policy Toolkit

The newly published toolkit collects the insights and best practices from the ERC network, showcasing diverse approaches to teaching CPR to young people. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between different training approaches and foster the sharing of best practices across borders. The Toolkit can be used as a source of inspiration for new initiatives or provide an example as to how training CPR to young people can be embedded into policy. By doing so, the toolkit seeks to enhance the effectiveness of CPR education and training, ultimately improving the response to sudden cardiac arrest across Europe.

The toolkit's development involved workshops, bilateral meetings, and surveys conducted with National Resuscitation Councils. It categorises youth education initiatives into three main types: CPR education integrated into the school curriculum, CPR awareness campaigns, and other educational programmes.

Each section outlines the best practices for teaching CPR in various contexts, along with the challenges to implementation and corresponding solutions. Real-world examples of effective approaches are provided through case studies led by national resuscitation councils.

Access here the Policy Toolkit.