Aim of the studyBystanders can play an important role in the event of sudden injury or illness. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of a 3-day first aid course for all primary school age groups (7–14 years old).Methods582 school children were involved in the study. Training consisted of three sessions with transfer of theoretical knowledge and practical skills about first aid. The following most urgent situations were addressed in our study: adult basic life support (BLS), using an automated external defibrillator (AED), handling an unconscious patient, managing bleeding and calling the ambulance. Data collection was made with a questionnaire developed for the study and observation. Students were tested before, immediately after and 4 months after training. Results were considered significant in case of p<0.05.ResultsPrior to training there was a low level of knowledge and skills on BLS, management of the unconscious patient, use of an AED and management of bleeding. Knowledge and skills improved significantly in all of these categories (p<0.01) and remained significantly higher than the pre-test level at 4 months after training (p<0.01). Younger children overall performed less well than older children, but significantly improved over the pre-test level both immediately and 4 months after training (p<0.01). Prior first aid training was associated with knowledge of the correct ambulance number (p=0.015) and management of bleeding (p=0.041). Prior to training, age was associated with pre-test knowledge and skills of all topics (p<0.01); after training, it was only associated with AED use (p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the depth of chest compression and children’s age, weight, height and body mass index (p<0.001). Ventilation depended on the same factors (p<0.001).ConclusionChildren aged 7–14 years are able to perform basic life-saving skills. Knowledge retention after 4 months is good for skills, but thinking in algorithms is difficult for these children.

Objectives: First aid programmes should include not only the transfer of knowledge and skills but also improve participants’ helping attitudes. The aim of this study was to evalute the immediate and long-term effects of a 3-day first aid programme for kindergarten children. Methods: One hundred and eighteen kindergarten children (5–7 years old) from an inner-city kindergarten located in Pécs, Hungary, were involved in this study between January 2016 and June 2017. Training consisted of three 45-minute sessions involving the transfer of theoretical knowledge and practical skills about first aid. Knowledge, skills and attitudes were assessed by means of a questionnaire developed for the study and through observation. Participants were tested before and immediately after the programme and at 4 and 15 months. Results: The majority of children had no prior knowledge in first aid. Knowledge and skills significantly improved immediately after training and remained significantly higher at 4 and 15 months when compared to baseline – calling the ambulance ( p < 0.01), performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR; p < .01), using an automated external defibrillator (AED; p < .01), handling an unconscious patient ( p < .01) and managing bleeding ( p < .01). Attitudes towards first aid improved significantly after the programme ( p < .01) and remained improved after 4 and 15 months when compared to baseline ( p < .01). Conclusion: Beginning first aid education in kindergarten can be useful. Children cannot become professional bystanders immediately following training, but the programme can offer an introduction of first aid. However, the results decreased substantially after 15 months so regular refreshing training should be recommended.

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Objective: Basic lifesaving activities should be taught in early childhood to develop helping attitude. Our goal was to teach up-to-date theoretical and practical basic first aid using the method of play for kindergarten children. Methods: 51 children visiting kindergarten in two areas of Hungary were involved in the survey, which took place between September and November 2011. The training consisted of two sessions with theoretical and practical games about first aid. As well as the first steps, which concerned how to examine and handle an unconscious patient and how to call an ambulance, the most frequently occurring injuries were also performed in different playful situations. In the third session, children were tested on their skills and a month later they were re-tested. The tests measured the children's problem-solving skills and their basic knowledge about different scenarios requiring first aid. The statistical analysis was made with the SPSS 17.0 software using the Chi-square test and t-test. Results: The maximum point score of the test was 38 points. The average point score of the first test was 16.94 points and the second resulted in higher scores (17.5 points). The difference between the results was significant (p < 0.05). The results showed attitudinal differences between boys and girls (p < 0.05). Conclusions: 5 and 6 year old kindergarten children can learn the basic concepts, but fewer children are able to act adequately in complex situations. A playful method of teaching first aid can improve children's knowledge and helping attitude.

AimFirst aid education in early childhood can be an effective method to increase the number of trained bystanders. Our aim was to evaluate the long-term effects of a 3-day first aid programme for all primary school-age groups (7–14 years old).MethodsThis study was a 15-month follow-up of our previous investigation. Five-hundred and twenty-four primary school children were involved in this study. Measurements were made on the following topics: adult basic life support, using an automated external defibrillator (AED), handling an unconscious patient, managing bleeding and calling the ambulance. Data collection was made with a self-made questionnaire and skill test.ResultsKnowledge and skills were significantly higher after 15 months than before training (p<0.01). However, these results were significantly worse than immediately and 4 months after training (p<0.01). Based on the questionnaire, more than three-quarters knew the emergency phone number 15 months after training. Approximately two-thirds of the children could use the correct hand position in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the correct compression-ventilation ratio and an AED, and half of them could perform correct recovery position at 15 months. Correct assessment of breathing was similar in a situation game than before training. Self-efficacy improved significantly after training (p<0.01) and remained improved after 4 and 15 months when compared with before training (p<0.01).ConclusionParticipants could remember some aspects of first aid long term. However, knowledge and skills had declined after 15 months, so refresher training would be recommended. Self-efficacy towards first aid improved after training and remained high after 15 months.