Staff from the emergency room conducted CPR demonstrations. Visitors were then able to practice on training manikins themselves, gaining hands-on experience with the proper technique for performing chest compressions. In addition, participants received informational materials with important guidelines on how to respond to a cardiac arrest, to help them retain what they learned even after the event.
“Every minute counts in the event of a cardiac arrest. That’s why it’s crucial that someone steps in to help. Anyone who calls 911 and immediately begins chest compressions can buy time until emergency medical services arrive, thereby making a vital contribution to saving a life,” explains Dr. Marco Renth, medical director of the emergency medical services in the Groß-Gerau district and deputy director of the emergency department at GPR Klinikum.
According to current data from the German Resuscitation Registry, in 2025, first responders had already begun resuscitation efforts in 53.5 percent of the recorded out-of-hospital resuscitation cases before emergency medical services arrived. This represents a significant increase in the first-responder rate compared to previous years. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement: Some European countries achieve significantly higher rates.
“Many people are afraid of doing something wrong. It is precisely this hesitation that we want to break down with our campaign day. When it comes to CPR, it’s more important to act than to do nothing out of fear of making a mistake,” says Stefan Keller, deputy managing director of the GPR.