title: A peer-training model for instruction of basic cardiac life support.
abstract: This study evaluates a peer-training model for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction for laypersons. Forty-one Norwegian factory employees were trained in CPR and given instructor training. These first trainees then trained 311 co-workers. These employees then trained 873 family members and associates at home. The reference group consists of employees in a Massachusetts commercial hotel trained in seven American Red Cross (ARC): Adult CPR classes. The Norwegian home trainees learned CPR using a cardboard training manikin and were trained by Norwegian factory employees who had learned CPR from co-workers. Trainees were evaluated using skill sheets and a Laerdal Skillmeter manikin. The performance of the Norwegians trained at home by peers did not differ from that of the ARC: Adult CPR trainees in six skills of the initial sequence of CPR. The home trainees outperformed the ARC: Adult CPR trainees in the proportion of compressions delivered correctly (P = 0.032) and ventilations delivered correctly (P = 0.015). Peer training may provide CPR instruction comparable to training in CPR classes at lower cost and with potential to reach new population segments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Research in Acute Medicene, Norwegian Air Ambulance, Droebak.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wik
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Braslow
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D017145:Models, Educational; D009664:Norway; D015397:Program Evaluation