[Teaching resuscitation in schools: "The earlier, the better...."].

Sudden cardiac arrest is a major contributor to avoidable deaths in Europe. Immediate start of basic life support (BLS) by laypersons is among the most successful strategies in the treatment of cardiac arrest patients. Despite the fact that more than half of all cardiac arrests in Germany are witnessed by a bystander, only in one fifth of all arrests layperson resuscitation is initiated. One strategy to enhance bystander BLS is to establish cardiac resuscitation tuition in schools. BLS instructions for pupils have been proven to be successfully implemented independent from children's age or physical ability. Although an age-adjusted curriculum seems reasonable even usage of automatic external defibrillators (AED) can be taught effectually. The earlier in the life of a student BLS-instruction begins, the more successful the training is. However a national German curriculum for BLS-training in schools has yet to be established in Germany. © Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York.