A web-based micro-simulation program for self-learning BLS skills and the use of an AED. Can laypeople train themselves without a manikin?
OBJECTIVE
Various methods, including self-instruction, have been used to try to improve the acquisition of basic life support skills. This is a preliminary report of the effectiveness of a web-based self-training program for BLS and the use of an AED.


METHODS
Sixteen volunteers completed on-line training in their own time over a period of 8 weeks. The program included theory, scenario training and self-testing, but without practice on a manikin, or any instructor input. The volunteers were assessed, without prior warning, in a scenario setting. A recording manikin, expert assessors and video recording were used with a modified version of the Cardiff Test.


RESULTS
All 16 volunteers performed the assessed skills in the use of an AED correctly. Most of the skills of BLS assessed were performed well. Chest compression depth and rate were performed less well (59% and 67% of participants, respectively, performed correctly). Opening the airway and lung inflation were performed poorly (38% and 13% of participants performed correctly), as was checking for safety (19% participants performed correctly). There was no significant correlation between the time a participant spent on-line and the quality of performance. Only 5 of the volunteers had ever attended a BLS course or used a resuscitation manikin before the assessment; their performance scores were not significantly better than those of the other 11 volunteers.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that it may be possible to train people in BLS and AED skills using a micro-simulation web-based interactive program but without any practice on a manikin. This seems to be particularly the case for the use of an AED, where performance achieved a uniformly high standard.
de Vries
Wiebe
W
Department of Education and Development, Doczero, Rondweg 29, NL-5406 NK Uden, The Netherlands. vriesw@xs4all.nl
Handley
Anthony J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D047548:Defibrillators; D004505:Education, Nonprofessional / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D008875:Middle Aged; D019212:Multimedia; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*