title: [Resuscitation by laymen?].
abstract: Although some authors report an increase in the rate of successful resuscitation if cardiopulmonary resuscitation is initiated by laymen, no appropriate training is carried out in the Federal Republic of Germany. In a test comprising 647 persons we studied to what extent it is possible to impact first aid know-how to bystanders. 60% were in the position to recognise the presence of distinct signs of respiratory failure and to assess the situation correctly. Only one-third (35%) of the participants, who had taken the first-aid course more than two years before the test, were able to carry out a proper examination of the respiration. The technique of ventilation was definitely deficient. Already one year after the instruction 30% found it difficult to position the head correctly. More than two years after the instruction 39% of the tested persons were able to insufflate a sufficient tidal volume. In a second test 198 emergency medical technicians were examined who had taken part in a cardiopulmonary resuscitation course. Only 53.2% had sufficient theoretical knowledge. 40% could apply efficiently the single-person-method of basic life support and 55% the corresponding two-person-method. These results prove that a once-only instruction of bystanders does not suffice by itself to impart sufficient knowledge for handling the emergency situation. It is, therefore, proposed to introduce compulsory and continuing instruction as a progressive teaching schedule--especially to young people--in first aid and, integrated into this programme, the methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid; D005860:Germany, West; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000193:education
vernacular_title: Reanimation durch Laien?