Basic life support knowledge, self-reported skills and fears in Danish high school students and effect of a single 45-min training session run by junior doctors; a prospective cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundEarly recognition and immediate bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation are critical determinants of survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Our aim was to evaluate current knowledge on basic life support (BLS) in Danish high school students and benefits of a single training session run by junior doctors.MethodsSix-hundred-fifty-one students were included. They underwent one 45-minute BLS training session including theoretical aspects and hands-on training with mannequins. The students completed a baseline questionnaire before the training session and a follow-up questionnaire one week later. The questionnaire consisted of an eight item multiple-choice test on BLS knowledge, a four-level evaluation of self-assessed BLS skills and evaluation of fear based on a qualitative description and visual analog scale from 0 to 10 for being first responder.ResultsSixty-three percent of the students (413/651) had participated in prior BLS training. Only 28% (179/651) knew how to correctly recognize normal breathing. The majority was afraid of exacerbating the condition or causing death by intervening as first responder. The response rate at follow-up was 61% (399/651). There was a significant improvement in correct answers on the multiple-choice test (p < .001). The proportion of students feeling well prepared to perform BLS increased from 30% to 90% (p < .001), and the level of fear of being first responder was decreased 6.8 ± 2.2 to 5.5 ± 2.4 (p < .001).ConclusionKnowledge of key areas of BLS is poor among high school students. One hands-on training session run by junior doctors seems to be efficient to empower the students to be first responders to OHCA.

Knowledge of the Portuguese population on Basic Life Support and availability to attend training

“…Similar results were found by other authors (8) in a study with Danish students (average age of 17.5±1.2 years) and students from 13 European countries (26) . Some studies have shown that even individuals who had training presented low values of knowledge (25,27) and some said they did not feel prepared (16,26) . Still, it is proven that adult training in BLS is effective and necessary (28)(29) , reinforcing the need for recycling and updating knowledge (7) .…”

Knowledge and Attitude of Radiology Technologists Towards Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

“…Critically ill patients and casualties are referred to tertiary teaching hospitals. The evidence shows that bystander CPR can double or triple survival rates after cardiac arrest (16)(17)(18). However, according to the guidelines, CPR teams in hospitals should be called when necessary.…”

Training in trains: an educational program to teach bystander CPR

“…Dear Editor, Successful resuscitation following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) depends on the links in the chain of survival; early recognition and immediate bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation increase the survival rate twofold to threefold [1,2]. Ventricular fibrillation is the most frequent rhythm in OHCA, and for every minute that defibrillation is delayed, the chance of survival is reduced by 10-12 % [3, 4].…”

“…Less than one-third of witnessed OHCA victims receive bystander CPR [2]. Educational efforts can increase the application of bystander CPR and increase the use of AEDs [1,5].…”

“…Educational efforts can increase the application of bystander CPR and increase the use of AEDs [1,5]. Accordingly, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation recommends that CPR training should be implemented throughout the community [2].…”