Greater Leipzig area: Sana clinics train 540 children in rehabilitation

Leipzig. Arthur lies motionless on a rug in the classroom. He plays a patient. His friend Anton turns him on his side, pulling his arms and hands to the right position – and he is finally satisfied. A stable lateral position is achieved. Why is it important? Anton knows: “If Arthur vomits, make sure he doesn’t choke on his cup.

The children of class 4B are going about their work with confidence on this slightly different school day at Marienbrunner primary school. Tight bandages are applied, bodies are turned, and the students squeeze hard on dolls. Sometimes it almost looks a little rough, but that’s not wrong: the following applies to first aid and also to recovery: the worst thing is to do nothing.

Citizens in Germany are not recovering enough

The layperson recovery rate – ie the percentage of cardiac arrest emergencies in which medical laypersons start resuscitation – is around 50 percent in the Federal Republic. Nordic countries reach 80 percent. In Germany there is a lack of knowledge and too much fear leads to inaction. However, there is one group of people who look at the subject fearlessly, inquisitively and enthusiastically: children. Studies show: The most important basics of recovery can be learned at the age of four and breathlessness or loss of consciousness can be recognized after training.

There are four hours of lessons in first aid and resuscitation on the program today in 4B. “You give oxygen to your organs by breathing in and out,” explained doctor Anne Borrmann, “but how do I know if someone is still breathing or not?” isn’t it? “Teacher Ramona Leipold is surprised: “The children remember a surprising amount. “Till and Jacob, Evelyn and Viana had these lessons two years ago. That’s why they know how to do it: Hold your ear over the unconscious person’s mouth and nose, put your hand on the chest – and check: Is air coming from the nose or from the mouth, does the chest move? Then it goes into the stable side position. If the person is no longer breathing, call emergency services and begin resuscitation. Search, call, press.

Sana Clinics is training 540 children this year

The students can try and practice CPR on dolls. The anesthetist Daniel Karthe plays the right rhythm with a song by the musician duo Stüpp + Schnäbelin. Many children are still unable to exert the necessary force on their chest. “But it’s about the technology,” Karthe said. The German Rehabilitation Council also states that it is important to provide and consolidate the necessary knowledge at an early stage.

Rehabilitation is really just on the curriculum in grade 7, but even then it is hardly possible on a large scale and with the medical quality that the Sana Clinics in the Land ​​​​Leipziger a ‘ offered in primary schools with their “Emergency Hero” campaign. When it started last year, 22 hospital staff trained 300 students in various courses; this year there are already 34 doctors and nursing staff who are training 540 children in recovery skills. The current “Recovery Week” is not enough to accomplish this; Each week a team visits two or three primary schools. The answer is huge.

Students as multipliers

The case is very important to the hospital, said Dr. Andreas Clamann. The “critical heroes” “are an important part in strengthening the knowledge of recovery methods in the general population,” said the medical director of Sana Clinics Leipziger Land. Daniel Karthe is also responsible for the effect of multiplication – and at the end he gives a wish to class 4B: “Continue to work with your parents this afternoon.”

LVZ