Schoolchildren as lifesavers in Europe - training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for children.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a major contributor to avoidable deaths in Europe. Immediate initiation of basic life support (BLS) by lay bystanders is among the most successful strategies in its treatment. Despite the fact that more than half of all cardiac arrests are witnessed in a number of European countries, layperson resuscitation is initiated in only one-fifth of all cases. One strategy to promote bystander BLS is to establish cardiac resuscitation training in schools. BLS instructions for schoolchildren - including the use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) - have been shown to be feasible independently of the children's age or physical ability. Nonetheless, it appears reasonable to implement age-adjusted curricula. The earlier in the course of life-long learning BLS instruction begins, the more sustainable training may be.
Emergency Medical Services, Fire Department City of Münster, Germany; Department of Anaesthesiology Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Münster University Hospital, Münster, Germany. Electronic address: bohna@stadt-muenster.de.
Andreas
A
Bohn
Hugo
H
Van Aken
Roman P
RP
Lukas
Thomas
T
Weber
Jan
J
Breckwoldt
D000367:Age Factors; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D047548:Defibrillators; D005060:Europe; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012574:Schools; D013997:Time Factors
basic life support; education; first aid; lay resuscitation; schoolchildren