[The role of virtual reality in first aid education]

With the replacement of predominantly traditional, frontal teaching methods, the aim is to introduce individually paced and experience-based instruction into healthcare simulation training including the theoretical education of first aid. To date, there has been no comprehensive or coordinated national study comparing conventional courses with those conducted in virtual environments. The educational system must adapt to the information acquisition and learning habits of younger generations. Virtual reality may have a significant impact on the individuals' willingness to provide first aid. Learners can encounter various scenarios (e.g., bleeding control, resuscitation) for the first time in a safe environment, which can be simulated an unlimited number of times across different adapted settings. This not only enhances professional first aid delivery but also allows for the replication of environmental and emotional influences that are essential for realistic visualization, skill development, and shaping a helping attitude. Moreover, virtual reality enables the identification of key components that contribute to effective education and learning processes such as the element of problem-solving. It is crucial for first aid providers to be able to assess the safety of a scene, examine the patient, and make sound decisions in response to changing conditions. Experiential and gamified learning plays a pivotal role in the long-term retention of knowledge, potentially activating relevant skills in real-life situations. Virtual reality can offer added value in understanding critical aspects of first aid such as evaluating the safety of the environment, recognizing changes in patient condition, and mastering the correct sequence of actions. Through immersion in simulation, virtual reality can foster focused attention. From an instructional perspective, it may also support more objective and precise student assessment by making the recognition of key aid related observations more tangible. It is presumed that the application of virtual reality in first aid education can become a cost-effective method by optimizing individual learning. Orv Hetil. 2025; 166(49): 1927-1934.