[Resuscitation by laypersons: lack of knowledge of first-aid measures in Germany].
OBJECTIVE
Sudden cardiac death is a leading cause of death. In Germany, only 10% of patients will survive reanimation. The prognosis is mainly determined by the first-aid skills of accidental witnesses.


METHODS
The reaction of 1007 German-speaking adults (462 males, 545 females, median age 39 years) was investigated in an emergency scenario with symptoms of sudden cardiac death in an acquaintance. Afterwards a self-assessment of their first-aid skills, such as cardiac compression and mouth-to-mouth ventilation was made.


RESULTS
94% of the interviewees would call professional aid at once. Diagnostic skills, as searching for pulse or checking for breath would be done by 26 and 21%, respectively. The most frequently mentioned therapeutic skill was positioning the victim in stable lateral position (37%), but very less frequently cardiac compression (6%) and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (10%). When asked, 51 (81%) of those interviewed regarded their skills in cardiac compression and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as adequate. To some extent there were differences in favor of young people and those from East Germany.


CONCLUSIONS
These representative data suggest that (a) ABC-like first-aid rules are largely unknown among the population; (b) the value of a stable lateral position is overestimated and (c) first-aid skills of elderly persons are worst. A significant improvement of first-aid skills of the German population is mandatory in order to improve in future the outcome of sudden cardiac death.
Teich
N
N
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, 04103 Leipzig. niels.teich@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Engelmann
L
L
Pfeiffer
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid; D005858:Germany; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013663:Teaching