Challenges in Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillator Training of Deaf People

Abstract

BackgroundBasic life support (BLS) with the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) is a fundamental link to a successful chain of survival of patients with cardiac arrest. However, the BLS protocol is not tailored for deaf people who encounter many challenges during BLS training. MethodsAfter an ergonomic analysis and modifications of the BLS and AED protocol, a practical course was conducted. A pre-course BLS and AED knowledge was tested with a questionnaire. After the course, each participant practically solved a cardiac arrest scenario on a manikin and qualitative and quantitative data on BLS and AED performance were collected with a modified Cardiff test and the QCPR mobile application. Results of the knowledge test and performance were presented with frequencies and correlations between pre- and post-course BLS and AED knowledge and performance were analyzed and presented with Spearman’s rho. Results51 deaf volunteers from seven Slovenian societies for deaf people participated in the study. Results on the pre-course knowledge test were poor (3.5 points out of 10). BLS performance according to the modified Cardiff test post-course was also poor: 52.9 % of the participants used a safe approach, 58.8 % checked responsiveness and 51.0 % sent a text message to the rescue service. Only 43.1 % of them opened the airway and 49.0% checked initial breathing. 80.4% of the deaf rescuers performed chest compressions on the lower half of the sternum but only 52.9 % of them compressed with adequate depth. According to the QCPR application the best performance was achieved with the compression score of 61.1 % and flow fraction 74.9%.ConclusionsThis study shows that a more comprehensive and assidiuous approach is needed for effective BLS and AED training courses for deaf people.