Cristina Jorge-Soto1, Cristian Abelairas-Gómez2, Roberto Barcala-Furelos3, Anxela Garrido-Viñas4, Rubén Navarro-Patón5, María Muiño-Piñeiro6, M Pino Díaz-Pereira7, Antonio Rodríguez-Núñez8. 1. School of Nursing, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; CLINURSID Research Group, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. 2. CLINURSID Research Group, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; University School of Health Sciences, European Atlantic University, Santander, Spain. 3. CLINURSID Research Group, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; University School of Education and Sport Sciences, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain. 4. School of Nursing, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. 5. University School of Teacher Training, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain. 6. University School of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain. 7. University School of Educational Sciences, University of Vigo, Ourense, Spain. 8. School of Nursing, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; CLINURSID Research Group, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Paediatric Emergency and Critical Care Division, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, SERGAS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Institute of Research of Santiago (IDIS) and SAMID-II Network, Spain. Electronic address: Antonio.Rodriguez.Nunez@sergas.es.
Abstract
AIM: Early defibrillation should achieve the highest survival rates when applied within the first minutes after the collapse. Public access defibrillation programs have increased the population awareness of the importance of defibrillation. Schoolchildren should be trained in basic life support (BLS) skills and some countries have included BLS in their school syllabus. However, little is known of the current knowledge and ability of schoolchildren to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). METHODS: A multicentric descriptive study, 1295 children from 6 to 16 years of age without previous BLS or AED training. Subjects performed a simulation with an AED and a manikin with no training or feedback and were evaluated by means of a checklist. RESULTS: A total of 258 participants (19.9%) were able to simulate an effective and safe defibrillation in less than 3min and 52 (20.1% of this group) performed it successfully. A significant correlation between objective and age group was observed (G=0.172) (p<0.001). The average time to deliver a shock was 83.3±26.4s; that time decreased significantly with age [6 YO (108.3±40.4) vs. 16 YO (64.7±18.6)s] (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Around 20% of schoolchildren without prior training are able to use an AED correctly in less than 3min following the device's acoustic and visual instructions. However, only one-fifth of those who showed success managed to complete the procedure satisfactorily. These facts should be considered in order to provide a more accurate definition and effective implementation of BLS/AED teaching and training at schools.
AIM: Early defibrillation should achieve the highest survival rates when applied within the first minutes after the collapse. Public access defibrillation programs have increased the population awareness of the importance of defibrillation. Schoolchildren should be trained in basic life support (BLS) skills and some countries have included BLS in their school syllabus. However, little is known of the current knowledge and ability of schoolchildren to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). METHODS: A multicentric descriptive study, 1295 children from 6 to 16 years of age without previous BLS or AED training. Subjects performed a simulation with an AED and a manikin with no training or feedback and were evaluated by means of a checklist. RESULTS: A total of 258 participants (19.9%) were able to simulate an effective and safe defibrillation in less than 3min and 52 (20.1% of this group) performed it successfully. A significant correlation between objective and age group was observed (G=0.172) (p<0.001). The average time to deliver a shock was 83.3±26.4s; that time decreased significantly with age [6 YO (108.3±40.4) vs. 16 YO (64.7±18.6)s] (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Around 20% of schoolchildren without prior training are able to use an AED correctly in less than 3min following the device's acoustic and visual instructions. However, only one-fifth of those who showed success managed to complete the procedure satisfactorily. These facts should be considered in order to provide a more accurate definition and effective implementation of BLS/AED teaching and training at schools.
Authors: Robert Greif; Andrew Lockey; Jan Breckwoldt; Francesc Carmona; Patricia Conaghan; Artem Kuzovlev; Lucas Pflanzl-Knizacek; Ferenc Sari; Salma Shammet; Andrea Scapigliati; Nigel Turner; Joyce Yeung; Koenraad G Monsieurs Journal: Notf Rett Med Date: 2021-06-02 Impact factor: 0.826