CGDIS Launch App to Help Reduce Cardiac Arrest Deaths

In a bid to improve the care of cardiac arrest victims, the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) has announced the launch of its Staying Alive LU application.

According to the CGDIS, in Luxembourg over 500 die each year as a result of cardiac arrest. Although in 70% of cases there are witnesses to the event, the current survival rate is only 9.8%. The CGDIS highlighted that in the event of cardiac arrest, each minute without cardiopulmonary resuscitation reduces the chances of survival by 10%. Only early intervention can save the victims.

The Staying Alive LU mobile application was launched on Thursday 16 October 2025 for use by the general public and is technically integrated into the workflow of the CSU-112 operator. It enables the mobilisation of a user — the Cardiac First Responder — so that they can intervene in the event of a nearby cardiac arrest, thereby helping to reduce response time until the arrival of the emergency services. The primary objective of this service is to strengthen the chain of survival and reduce pre-hospital response times for cardiac arrests.

The application offers every citizen the opportunity to contribute at three levels:

•            Trained Cardiac First Responder: provides first aid to the victim;

•            Untrained Cardiac First Responder: tasked with retrieving an automated external defibrillator (AED) in the event of an alert;

•            Contributor: helps to further improve the mapping of available AEDs.

Once alerted by CSU-112 via the application, the Cardiac First Responder can quickly locate the nearest AEDs and be guided by the CSU-112 operator in an emergency.

The CGDIS noted that the application constitutes an essential tool for improving survival chances in the event of cardiac arrest.

Luxembourg Minister for Home Affairs, Léon Gloden emphasised: "We can all save lives! On the occasion of 'World Restart a Heart Day' on 16 October, we presented, together with the Staying Alive LU application, another important element that will further strengthen our resilience, in line with the motto: be prepared for the unexpected. This application forms part of the national resilience strategy presented at the start of the week by the Prime Minister. Resilience concerns us all, from the State to the municipalities and each citizen. Thanks to all the CGDIS actors and partners who contributed to the development of this life-saving application. The CGDIS is the civil shield of our country."

Further information about the Staying Alive LU application can be found at www.stayingalive.lu.