Katretter app: lifesaver from the neighborhood for Northern Saxony!

Katretter app: lifesaver from the neighborhood for Northern Saxony!

An innovative smartphone system for lifesaving will soon be introduced in the district of Northern Saxony: the “Katretter” app. This app is intended to make it possible to alert volunteer first responders more quickly in an emergency. According to Torgauer Zeitung availability could already be this year in both the North Saxony district and in neighboring Leipzig district will become a reality. The second deputy, Jens Kabisch, sees great potential in this technology.

The “Katretter” app is not just another digital tool, but an important part of the rescue chain. In the event of a cardiac arrest or loss of consciousness, an emergency call is made to the Leipzig regional control center, which enables the registered first aiders in the area to be alerted. These are only activated if they are within 500 meters of the city center or 1,000 meters on the outskirts of the city. Dr. Claudia Pott, the medical director of the Northern Saxony emergency service, emphasizes how crucial the help of volunteers can be in such moments.

The power of volunteers

Every year, Germany registers around 120,000 cardiac arrests, of which at least 60,000 resuscitation attempts are possible. Dual use of the app can mean the difference between life and death, as quick intervention by first responders is often crucial. A process that is also supported by research: A project in Berlin to introduce the Katretter app has shown that the survival rate in cardiac arrests increases significantly with immediate help. In Berlin, the rate with resuscitation measures performed rose to 17% - a significant difference from 9.5% without immediate help, as reported by NCBI.

As the numbers show, apps like “Katretter” are not a product of chance, but rather the fruitful results of extensive studies. For example, an evaluation of 10,102 registered first aiders in Berlin between 2020 and 2022 led to positive findings. Activation of first responders showed that 38.4% of cases had direct patient contact and resuscitation measures were performed in 34.6% of cases.

A look into the future

In addition to the Katretter app, other projects such as the “HEROES study” at the Freiburg University Hospital are also of interest. This study aims to shorten the treatment-free time interval in cardiac arrests through a smartphone-based first responder system. It turns out that the integration of trained first aiders via the app is essential in order to bridge the time until the regular emergency services arrive. Funds amounting to 47,500 euros are even being provided by the German Heart Foundation.

In northern Saxony, eight fire departments have already completed special training for resuscitation measures. The first responder offers organized by firefighters are a great success in the region. Particularly noteworthy is the first responder from Oschatz, who has already recorded 32 resuscitation missions in the first half of 2025. There is also an average time advantage of 28 seconds until regular emergency services arrive. In places without rescue stations, this advantage can be as long as 3 minutes and 39 seconds.

In summary, it can be said that the “Katretter” app is not just another digital aid, but a groundbreaking step in emergency medical care. With the support of volunteers and well-functioning alerts via smartphones, the number of lives saved could increase significantly, which is of utmost urgency in Germany. Let's be surprised when the app will be rolled out in Northern Saxony and Leipzig and how it will help improve survival in critical situations in the future.