title: Automated external defibrillation skills by naive schoolchildren.
abstract: Early defibrillation should achieve the highest survival rates when applied within the first minutes after the collapse. Public access defibrillation programs have increased the population awareness of the importance of defibrillation. Schoolchildren should be trained in basic life support (BLS) skills and some countries have included BLS in their school syllabus. However, little is known of the current knowledge and ability of schoolchildren to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
  
  
  
  A multicentric descriptive study, 1295 children from 6 to 16 years of age without previous BLS or AED training. Subjects performed a simulation with an AED and a manikin with no training or feedback and were evaluated by means of a checklist.
  
  
  
  A total of 258 participants (19.9%) were able to simulate an effective and safe defibrillation in less than 3min and 52 (20.1% of this group) performed it successfully. A significant correlation between objective and age group was observed (G=0.172) (p<0.001). The average time to deliver a shock was 83.3±26.4s; that time decreased significantly with age [6 YO (108.3±40.4) vs. 16 YO (64.7±18.6)s] (p<0.001).
  
  
  
  Around 20% of schoolchildren without prior training are able to use an AED correctly in less than 3min following the device's acoustic and visual instructions. However, only one-fifth of those who showed success managed to complete the procedure satisfactorily. These facts should be considered in order to provide a more accurate definition and effective implementation of BLS/AED teaching and training at schools.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; CLINURSID Research Group, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jorge-Soto
authors.affiliation: CLINURSID Research Group, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; University School of Health Sciences, European Atlantic University, Santander, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abelairas-Gómez
authors.affiliation: CLINURSID Research Group, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; University School of Education and Sport Sciences, University of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barcala-Furelos
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Anxela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garrido-Viñas
authors.affiliation: University School of Teacher Training, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Navarro-Patón
authors.affiliation: University School of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muiño-Piñeiro
authors.affiliation: University School of Educational Sciences, University of Vigo, Ourense, Spain.
authors.forename: M Pino
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Díaz-Pereira
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; CLINURSID Research Group, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Paediatric Emergency and Critical Care Division, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, SERGAS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Institute of Research of Santiago (IDIS) and SAMID-II Network, Spain. Electronic address: Antonio.Rodriguez.Nunez@sergas.es.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Núñez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D047548:Defibrillators / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000066908:Simulation Training / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Automated external defibrillator; Basic life support; Cardiac arrest; Resuscitation; Schoolchildren; Training