First Aid & Emergency Response (Ersthelfer)

First Aid & Emergency Procedures (First Responder) is an online course that teaches CPR, AED usage, injury treatment, and psychological first aid. Ideal for anyone responsible for others. Upon completion, you will receive a recognized certificate validating your first responder skills.

First Aid & Emergency Response (Ersthelfer)

WHY FIRST AID IS LIFE-SAVING KNOWLEDGE

Every second counts. In Germany, more than 70,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospitals every year — and in more than 60% of cases, bystanders are present who could help. But without the right knowledge and confidence, many people hesitate to act. That costs lives.

 

First aid is not a skill you learn "someday." It is a skill you need now — at the workplace, at home, on the road, during sports, and wherever the unexpected can occur. A cardiac arrest, a serious fall, an airway emergency, severe bleeding — all of these can become life-threatening within seconds. The critical minutes before professional help arrives are determined by you.

 

Research shows: Immediate CPR doubles or triples the survival chance of a cardiac arrest patient. An AED used early can raise survival rates to over 70%. First aid doesn't just save lives — it prevents permanent damage, reduces hospital stays, and gives victims the chance for a full recovery.

Mastering first aid means: you are not helpless. You are capable of acting. You can make the difference — between life and death, between full recovery and lasting harm.

 

WHY THIS COURSE IS THE RIGHT STEP

The course First Aid & Emergency Response (First Responder) was developed to equip people like you — committed, responsible, and ready to help others — with practical, legally sound, and up-to-date first aid knowledge.

 

Unlike standardised short courses, this course goes far beyond the minimum. It teaches not just what to do, but why — creating genuine understanding rather than mere memorisation. From CPR to AED use, legal obligations, psychological first aid, and building a first-aid-capable organisation: this course prepares you for the full range of real emergency situations.

 

In Germany, the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires companies to provide trained first aiders depending on the number of employees and the hazard class. This course meets those legal requirements — and exceeds them. Whether you are fulfilling your professional duty, strengthening your CV, or simply want to be prepared as a private individual: this course is your entry into competent, confident emergency response.

 

First Aid & Emergency Response (First Responder) is a comprehensive, practice-oriented online course that equips you with all the essential skills to respond safely, quickly, and effectively in medical emergencies.

 

The course combines solid theoretical knowledge with realistic scenarios and covers all major emergency situations — from CPR and AED use to wound care, poisoning, and specialised situations such as paediatric first aid, mental health crises, and mass events.

 

In addition to medical skills, you will learn the legal framework for first aid in Germany: your statutory duty to assist, liability protection, informed consent, and workplace documentation requirements.

 

The course is aimed at anyone who bears responsibility for others — professionally or privately — and is suitable for both complete beginners and experienced first aiders who want to refresh or expand their knowledge.

Format: Online, flexible, self-paced Language: German Completion: Recognised certificate upon course completion Scope: 6 modules with 24 learning units in total

Learning Objectives

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Assess an emergency situation safely and systematically, and initiate the correct immediate response
  • Make an emergency call professionally and efficiently, conveying the right information in the shortest possible time
  • Perform CPR (chest compressions and rescue breathing) correctly and effectively — on adults, children, and infants
  • Deploy an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) safely and without hesitation
  • Secure airways, manage unconsciousness, and stop life-threatening bleeding
  • Recognise common medical emergencies — including heart attack, stroke, diabetic crisis, and allergic reactions — and act appropriately
  • Manage burns, fractures, poisoning, and environmental emergencies such as heat exhaustion and hypothermia
  • Provide psychological first aid and stabilise people in emotional crisis
  • Fully understand your legal rights and duties as a first aider in Germany
  • Develop and implement a functional emergency plan for your workplace or community
  • Apply first aid appropriately to infants, children, and people in mental health crises
  • Maintain and develop your first aider competencies on an ongoing basis

Course Curriculum

6 Sections 24 Lectures 6 Hour
  • Reading The Scene With Confidence
  • Making The Call That Saves A Life
  • Responding Before You Touch
  • Staying Calm Under Pressure
  • CPR That Works In The Real World
  • Making The AED Your Teammate
  • Managing Airway And Unconsciousness
  • Stopping Bleeding Fast
  • Injuries You Can Stabilise
  • Medical Conditions You Must Recognise Early
  • Emergencies In Challenging Settings
  • Emotional And Psychological First Aid
  • Your Legal Duty To Help
  • Workplace Compliance And Employer Duties
  • Consent, Liability And Safe Boundaries
  • Reporting, Documenting And Communicating
  • Designing A First Aid-Ready Environment
  • Team Response And Leadership In Emergencies
  • Creating An Organised Response System
  • Maintaining Skills And Confidence
  • First Aid For Infants And Children
  • Mental Health Emergency Response
  • Responding During Large-Scale Events
  • Becoming An Advanced Community Responder

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is suitable for anyone who is ready to take responsibility in an emergency — regardless of prior knowledge or professional background:

  • Workplace first aiders — who want to complete or refresh their legally required training
  • Team leaders, managers, and HR professionals — who want to enhance the safety of their team and organisation
  • Teachers and educational staff — who bear daily responsibility for children and young people
  • Parents and carers — who want to ensure safety at home or within the family
  • Sports coaches, club members, and volunteers — who want to be there for others at events and in training
  • Nursing staff and medical support professionals — who want to refresh their knowledge in a structured way
  • Travellers and adventurers — who want to be able to act even in remote situations
  • All interested citizens — who want to do the right thing when it matters

Requirements

No prior knowledge is required for this course. All you need is:

  • Minimum age: 16 years (under 18 with parental consent)
  • An internet-enabled device (PC, tablet, smartphone)
  • Basic German language skills to understand the course content
  • Willingness to learn and the motivation to help others in emergency situations

Prior knowledge in medicine, biology, or first aid is welcome but not required.

Career opportunities

A completed first aider qualification opens doors — professionally and as a volunteer:

  • Workplace first aider — an official role in companies, legally recognised under DGUV
  • Safety officer — with additional qualification, a central role in occupational health and safety
  • Medical assistant at DRK, ASB, MHD or JUH — entry into organised aid organisations
  • Emergency medical technician / paramedic — first aider certificate as a recognised prerequisite or preparation
  • Notfallsanitäter (advanced paramedic) — highest pre-clinical qualification in Germany (first aider as a foundation)
  • Fire safety assistant — combined role covering first aid and fire safety in the workplace
  • First aid instructor — passing on knowledge to others, e.g. in companies or schools
  • Community responder in first responder networks — e.g. via local apps and emergency services partnerships
  • Team leader or safety coordinator — career advancement through demonstrated emergency management competency

Certification information

Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a certificate for success in First Aid & Emergency Response (Ersthelfer), a recognized certificate in the field of health compliance.

Certificate Image

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How many first aiders must a company have in Germany? +

Under DGUV Regulation 1: in companies with low accident risk, at least 5% of employees must be trained first aiders. In companies with higher accident risk (e.g. manufacturing, construction, warehousing), the requirement is at least 10%. With fewer than 20 employees, at least 1 first aider must be present.

02 Is it compulsory to provide first aid in Germany? +

Yes. Under § 323c of the German Criminal Code (StGB), every person in Germany is obligated to provide first aid in an accident, as long as it is reasonable and can be done without personal risk. Failure to assist can be punished with a fine or imprisonment of up to one year.

03 Am I liable if I make a mistake as a first aider? +

No. In Germany, good-faith first aiders are largely protected from liability as long as they act to the best of their knowledge and belief. The important thing is that you help — a mistake made in good faith is generally not subject to criminal prosecution. Failing to help, however, is a criminal offence.

04 How long does a first aid training course take? +

According to DGUV, the basic first aider training comprises at least 9 teaching units (TU) of 45 minutes each — approximately 7–8 hours. Our online course goes well beyond this minimum, offering in-depth knowledge for genuine emergency competency.

05 When does first aid knowledge need to be refreshed? +

The DGUV recommends refreshing every 2 years. For workplace first aiders, DGUV Regulation 1 requires regular renewal of knowledge to maintain the official first aider function within the company.

06 What do I do if someone is unconscious? +

First check responsiveness (speak to them, tap their shoulder). If there is no response: open the airway (tilt head back, lift chin) and check for breathing (look, listen, feel). If breathing normally, place them in the recovery position. If not breathing normally, immediately call emergency services (112) and begin CPR.

07 How does an AED work and can anyone use one? +

Yes — an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is designed for laypersons and guides the user through every step with voice and visual instructions. The device itself analyses whether a shock is required and only delivers one when medically appropriate. You cannot cause harm by following an AED — but you can save a life.

08 What are the signs of a heart attack? +

Classic signs of a heart attack include: severe pressure, tightness, or pain in the chest (often radiating to the left arm, jaw, or back), shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and a sense of impending doom. Important: in women and diabetics, heart attacks often present atypically — without chest pain. If in doubt, always call emergency services on 112.

09 What to do in case of a stroke? +

Think of the FAST test: Face — is one side of the face drooping? Arms — can the person raise both arms equally? Speech — is speech slurred or absent? Time — call 112 immediately! Stroke is an emergency where every minute counts: "Time is Brain."

10 Can I learn first aid online? +

Theoretical knowledge, decision-making, and legal foundations can be learned excellently online — flexibly, at your own pace. Practical skills such as CPR should additionally be practised in a hands-on session. Our course prepares you optimally for both.

11 What is the difference between first aid and a paramedic? +

First aid is the immediate assistance provided by laypersons or trained first aiders — without specialised medical equipment or medications. A Notfallsanitäter (advanced paramedic) is a state-recognised vocational qualification (3 years) with extended medical authorisation. This course gives you the best possible layperson training — as a solid foundation for further medical careers.

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