'Kids save lives': why schoolchildren should train in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Quick initiation of basic life support (BLS) by laypersons is one of the most successful strategies in the fight against sudden cardiac death. In developed countries, cardiac arrest is still a major contributor to avoidable death, and despite the fact that more than 50% of all cardiac arrests are witnessed, layperson BLS is performed in less than 20%. To improve this situation, BLS training in schools has been established. RECENT FINDINGS: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction including the use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) has shown to be feasible even for young schoolchildren, and there is an indication that respective programmes are effective to enhance patient outcome on a population basis. Earlier training may even lead to more sustainable results; however, it is reasonable to implement adjusted curricula for different child ages. The programme 'Kids Save Lives' recently endorsed by the WHO will help promoting school-based BLS training worldwide demanding education on CPR for all pupils starting at least at age 12. SUMMARY: Resuscitation training in schools can help to increase the amount of BLS-trained population. Social skills of pupils can be improved and training can be successfully implemented independently of the pupils' age and physique.

Schoolchildren as lifesavers in Europe - training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for children.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a major contributor to avoidable deaths in Europe. Immediate initiation of basic life support (BLS) by lay bystanders is among the most successful strategies in its treatment. Despite the fact that more than half of all cardiac arrests are witnessed in a number of European countries, layperson resuscitation is initiated in only one-fifth of all cases. One strategy to promote bystander BLS is to establish cardiac resuscitation training in schools. BLS instructions for schoolchildren - including the use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) - have been shown to be feasible independently of the children's age or physical ability. Nonetheless, it appears reasonable to implement age-adjusted curricula. The earlier in the course of life-long learning BLS instruction begins, the more sustainable training may be.

The addition of voice prompts to audiovisual feedback and debriefing does not modify CPR quality or outcomes in out of hospital cardiac arrest--a prospective, randomized trial.

AIMS: Chest compression quality is a determinant of survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). ERC 2005 guidelines recommend the use of technical devices to support rescuers giving compressions. This prospective randomized study reviewed influence of different feedback configurations on survival and compression quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 312 patients suffering an OHCA were randomly allocated to two different feedback configurations. In the limited feedback group a metronome and visual feedback was used. In the extended feedback group voice prompts were added. A training program was completed prior to implementation, performance debriefing was conducted throughout the study. RESULTS: Survival did not differ between the extended and limited feedback groups (47.8% vs 43.9%, p = 0.49). Average compression depth (mean ± SD: 4.74 ± 0.86 cm vs 4.84 ± 0.93 cm, p = 0.31) was similar in both groups. There were no differences in compression rate (103 ± 7 vs 102 ± 5 min(-1), p=0.74) or hands-off fraction (16.16% ± 0.07 to 17.04% ± 0.07, p = 0.38). Bystander CPR, public arrest location, presenting rhythm and chest compression depth were predictors of short term survival (ROSC to ED). CONCLUSIONS: Even limited CPR-feedback combined with training and ongoing debriefing leads to high chest compression quality. Bystander CPR, location, rhythm and chest compression depth are determinants of survival from out of hospital cardiac arrest. Addition of voice prompts does neither modify CPR quality nor outcome in OHCA. CC depth significantly influences survival and therefore more focus should be put on correct delivery. Further studies are needed to examine the best configuration of feedback to improve CPR quality and survival. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00449969), http://www.clinicalTrials.gov.