CPR courses and semi-automatic defibrillators--life saving in cardiac arrest?
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to assess the knowledge of life-supporting first-aid in both cardiac arrest survivors and relatives, and their willingness to have a semi-automatic external defibrillator in their homes and use it in an emergency.


METHODS
Cardiac arrest survivors, their families, friends, neighbours and co-workers were interviewed by medical students using prepared questionnaires. Their knowledge and self-assessment of life-supporting first-aid, their willingness to have a semi-automatic defibrillator in their homes and their willingness to use it in an emergency before and after a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with a semi-automatic external defibrillator was evaluated. Courses were taught by medical students who had received special training in basic and advanced life support.


RESULTS
Both patients and relatives, after a course of 2-3 h, were no longer afraid of making mistakes by providing life-supporting first-aid. The automated external defibrillator (AED) was generally accepted and considered easy to handle.


CONCLUSIONS
We consider equipping high-risk patients and their families with AEDs as a viable method of increasing their survival in case of a recurring cardiac arrest. This, of course, should be corroborated by further studies.
Schneider
Liane
L
Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria.
Sterz
Fritz
F
Haugk
Moritz
M
Eisenburger
Philip
P
Scheinecker
Wolfdieter
W
Kliegel
Andreas
A
Laggner
Anton N
AN
D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000523:psychology; D047548:Defibrillators / Q000523:psychology*; D004505:Education, Nonprofessional / Q000379:methods; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology