title: Teaching Life-Saving Manoeuvres in Primary School.
abstract: Introduction.In the event of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) early intervention provided by a layperson can be life-saving. Teaching first aid in primary school may increase the lifelong ability and motivation of young people to take action in an emergency.Objective.The aim of this article is to report a training experience on BLSD (Basic Life Support and Defibrillation) designed for a group of pupils in an Italian primary school, with assessment of its effectiveness at a distance.Methods.The assessment was carried out using a multiple choice questionnaire on a sample of 130 pupils aged 11-12, 62 trained in BLSD and 68 as a control group. The trained group also performed an emergency simulation to assess their learning of practical skills.Results.Using thettest, significant differences emerged in the questionnaire scores between the case-control group. The results of the skill test were positive, even for the most difficult manoeuvres such as opening airways, assessing breathing, or using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator).Conclusion.Although there are still some open questions regarding the ability to retain these skills in the medium/long term, the study shows that life-saving manoeuvres can be effectively taught to primary school pupils.
authors.affiliation: INAIL, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2171-331X
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Calicchia
authors.affiliation: INAIL, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5755-3747
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cangiano
authors.affiliation: INAIL, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1470-0342
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capanna
authors.affiliation: INAIL, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.affiliation: INAIL, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3890-4406
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Papaleo
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D047548:Defibrillators; D004501:Education, Medical; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires