First aid class in schools to House of Representatives

The occasion is a 2019 citizens' initiative that has received 60,000 signatures. This is the first time a Red Cross director has addressed parliament in plenary.

According to the organization, only one in six young people in the Netherlands knows how to perform CPR or use an AED when someone needs help. "While an average of 1.9 million accidents happen in and around the house every year." A vast majority of young people would also like to gain knowledge and skills to act in life-saving ways.

"Our proposal focuses not only on life-saving skills such as CPR. Young people also learn how to act in case of epilepsy, cerebral infarction, choking or severe bleeding and burns," said Van Schaik. "If we invest in first aid training now, in a few years we will have a society where everyone can help another person."

Behind the citizens' initiative, in addition to the Red Cross, are Radio 10 DJ Rob van Someren and Schok & Pomp, an organization of doctors working (or having worked) in the Emergency Department. In addition to being a DJ, Van Someren also works as a police officer in Amsterdam.