Resuscitation
Volume 81, Issue 3 , Pages 348-352, March 2010

Distribution of pre-course BLS/AED manuals does not influence skill acquisition and retention in lay rescuers: A randomised study☆

  • Lila Papadimitriou

      Affiliations

    • Department of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens, Medical School, 15B Agiou Thoma Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Theodoros Xanthos

      Affiliations

    • Department of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens, Medical School, 15B Agiou Thoma Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author.
    • ,
  • Eleni Bassiakou

      Affiliations

    • Department of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens, Medical School, 15B Agiou Thoma Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Kostantinos Stroumpoulis

      Affiliations

    • Department of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens, Medical School, 15B Agiou Thoma Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Dimitrios Barouxis

      Affiliations

    • Department of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens, Medical School, 15B Agiou Thoma Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Nicolleta Iacovidou

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neonatology, Areteion Hospital, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece

Received 10 August 2009; received in revised form 15 November 2009; accepted 29 November 2009. published online 14 January 2010.

Abstract 

Aim

The present study aims to investigate whether the distribution of the Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation (BLS/AED) manual, 4 weeks prior to the course, has an effect on skill acquisition, theoretical knowledge and skill retention, compared with courses where manuals were not distributed.

Methods

A total of 303 laypeople were included in the present study. The courses were randomised with sealed envelopes in 12 courses, where manuals were distributed to participants (group A) and in 12 courses, where manuals were not distributed to participants (group B). The participants were formally evaluated at the end of the course, and at 1, 3 and 6 months after each course. The evaluation procedure was the same at all time intervals and consisted of two distinct parts: a written test and a simulated cardiac arrest scenario.

Results

No significant difference was observed between the two groups in skill acquisition at the time of initial training. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the groups in performing BLS/AED skills at 1, 3 and 6 months after initial training. Theoretical knowledge in either group at the specified time intervals did not exhibit any significant difference. Significant deterioration of skills was observed in both groups between initial training and at 1 month after the course, as well as between the first and third month after the course.

Conclusion

The present study shows that distribution of BLS/AED manuals 1 month prior to the course has no effect on theoretical knowledge, skill acquisition and skill retention in laypeople.

Keywords: Manual, Skill acquisition, Skill retention, Laypeople, BLS, AED

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☆ A Spanish translated version of the abstract of this article appears as Appendix in the final online version at doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2009.11.020.

PII: S0300-9572(09)00623-6

doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2009.11.020

Resuscitation
Volume 81, Issue 3 , Pages 348-352, March 2010

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