title: Distributing personal resuscitation manikins in an untrained population: how well are basic life support skills acquired?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Self-instruction with a DVD and a simple personal manikin is an effective alternative to traditional basic life support (BLS) courses. Objective To evaluate the effect of distributing DVD training kits to untrained laypersons. BLS skills were compared according to 2005 guidelines for resuscitation after 3.5 months with those obtained in untrained laypersons who completed the same course with instructor facilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  BLS skills of 55 untrained laypersons were assessed using the Laerdal ResusciAnne and PC Skill Reporting System in a 3 min test and a total score (12-48 points) was calculated. The participants received a DVD training kit without instructions. The test was repeated after 3.5 months. Data were compared with data from a previous published study where participants completed the same course in groups with instructor facilitation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant difference in the total score after 3.5 months. The 'DVD-self-instructor' group obtained 33 (29-37) points and the 'DVD-with instructor' group obtained 34 (32-37) points, p=0.16. The 'DVD-with instructor' group performed significantly better in checking responsiveness and had a significantly shorter 'total hands-off time' (s) (85 (76-94) vs 96 (82-120), p=0.002) and delay until first compression or ventilation group (29 s (17-40) vs 33 s (22-48), p=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since no significant difference in total BLS score was found after 3.5 months between untrained laypersons who either completed a DVD-based BLS course in groups with instructor facilitation or received the same DVD training kit without instruction, the latter seems more efficient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. anne.mn@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Anne Møller
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Dan Lou
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Isbye
authors.forename: Freddy
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lippert
authors.forename: Lars Simon
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation; D003718:Denmark; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D008875:Middle Aged; D011380:Programmed Instructions as Topic; D014741:Video Recording; D055815:Young Adult