title: Assessment of knowledge and skills in using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) by university students. A quasi-experimental study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate layperson (university student) ability to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
  
  
  METHODS
  A repeated measures quasi-experimental study with non-probabilistic sampling and a control group was carried out.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teacher training degree students at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain).
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 129 subjects (69% women and 31% men), between 19-47 years of age (mean 23.2±4.7 years). As inclusion criterion, the subjects were required to have no previous knowledge of AED.
  
  
  METHODS
  Times to apply defibrillation with an AED to a mannequin were recorded untrained (T0), after a theoretical and practice explanation lasting less than one minute (T1), and 6 months after the training process (T2).
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary endpoint was the time taken to deliver a defibrillation discharge. The "improvement effect" variable was defined by the absolute time difference between T1 and T0, while the "degree of forgetfulness effect" variable was defined as the absolute difference between T1 and T2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean times were T0=67.7s; T1=44.2s; T2=45.9s. The time to apply defibrillation was reduced after explanation training (T1<T0) (-23.4s; P<.001). T2 proved shorter than T0 (-21.8s; P<.001) but longer than T1 (1.6s; P=.002). The improvement effect was significant (P<.001), in the same way as the degree of forgetfulness (P=.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Easy handling of AED was demonstrated, since untrained people were able to deliver a discharge. Defibrillation time was reduced after brief training. This time barely increased after 6 months.
authors: Facultad de Formación del Profesorado, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, España.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Basanta Camiño
authors: Facultad de Formación del Profesorado, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, España. Electronic address: ruben.navarro.paton@usc.es.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Navarro Patón
authors: Servicio de Emergencias Médicas de la Fundación Pública Urgencias Sanitarias 061, Base 061 Lugo, Centro de Salud de Fingoy, Lugo, España.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Freire Tellado
authors: Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación y del Deporte, Universidad de Vigo, Campus A Xunqueira, Pontevedra, España.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Barcala Furelos
authors: Servicio de Emergencias Médicas de la Fundación Pública Urgencias Sanitarias 061, Base 061 Lugo, Centro de Salud de Fingoy, Lugo, España.
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: Pavón Prieto
authors: Servicio de Emergencias Médicas de la Fundación Pública Urgencias Sanitarias 061, Base 061 Lugo, Centro de Salud de Fingoy, Lugo, España.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Fernández López
authors: Fundación Pública Urgencias Sanitarias 061, Base 061 Foz, Foz, Lugo, España.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Neira Pájaro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D047548:Defibrillators / Q000523:psychology*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000070260:Teacher Training; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Automated external defibrillator; Desfibrilador externo automatizado; First responder; Laypersons; Personal lego; Primer interviniente