Acquisition and retention of basic life support skills in an untrained population using a personal resuscitation manikin and video self-instruction (VSI).
BACKGROUND
Video-based self-instruction (VSI) with a 24-min DVD and a personal resuscitation manikin solves some of the barriers associated with traditional basic life support (BLS) courses. No accurate assessment of the actual improvement in skills after attending a VSI course has been determined, and in this study we assess the skill improvement in laypersons undergoing VSI.


METHODS
The BLS skills of 68 untrained laypersons (high school students, their teachers and persons excluded from mainstream society) were assessed using the Laerdal ResusciAnne and PC Skill Reporting System 2.0 in a 3 min test. A total score (12-48 points) was calculated and 12 different variables were recorded. The participants attended a 24-min VSI course (MiniAnne, Laerdal) and took home the DVD and manikin for optional subsequent self-training. We repeated the test 3 1/2-4 months later.


RESULTS
There was a significant increase in the total score (p<0.0001) from 26.5 to 34 points. The participants performed significantly better in checking responsiveness, opening the airway, checking for respiration and using the correct compression/ventilation ratio (all p-values<0.001). The compression depth improved from 38 mm to 49.5 mm and the total number of compressions increased from 67 to 141. The ventilation volume and the total number of ventilations increased, and total "hands-off" time decreased from 120.5 s to 85 s.


CONCLUSIONS
Untrained laypersons attending a 24 min DVD-based BLS course have a significantly improved BLS performance after 3 1/2-4 months compared to pre-test skill performance. Especially the total number of compressions improved and the hands-off time decreased.
Nielsen
Anne Møller
AM
Department of Anaesthesia, Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. anne.mn@dadlnet.dk
Henriksen
Mikael J V
MJ
Isbye
Dan Lou
DL
Lippert
Freddy K
FK
Rasmussen
Lars Simon
LS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004493:Education / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008020:Life Support Care; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D008875:Middle Aged; D011380:Programmed Instructions as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000193:education*; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D014743:Videotape Recording; D055815:Young Adult