title: Distribution of pre-course BLS/AED manuals does not influence skill acquisition and retention in lay rescuers: a randomised study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aims to investigate whether the distribution of the Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation (BLS/AED) manual, 4 weeks prior to the course, has an effect on skill acquisition, theoretical knowledge and skill retention, compared with courses where manuals were not distributed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 303 laypeople were included in the present study. The courses were randomised with sealed envelopes in 12 courses, where manuals were distributed to participants (group A) and in 12 courses, where manuals were not distributed to participants (group B). The participants were formally evaluated at the end of the course, and at 1, 3 and 6 months after each course. The evaluation procedure was the same at all time intervals and consisted of two distinct parts: a written test and a simulated cardiac arrest scenario.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was observed between the two groups in skill acquisition at the time of initial training. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the groups in performing BLS/AED skills at 1, 3 and 6 months after initial training. Theoretical knowledge in either group at the specified time intervals did not exhibit any significant difference. Significant deterioration of skills was observed in both groups between initial training and at 1 month after the course, as well as between the first and third month after the course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study shows that distribution of BLS/AED manuals 1 month prior to the course has no effect on theoretical knowledge, skill acquisition and skill retention in laypeople.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens, Medical School, 15B Agiou Thoma Street, 11527 Athens, Greece. theodorosxanthos@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Lila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Papadimitriou
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xanthos
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bassiakou
authors.forename: Kostantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stroumpoulis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barouxis
authors.forename: Nicolleta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iacovidou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D047548:Defibrillators; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008021:Life Support Systems; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult