Abstract 236: Systematic CPR Training in Elementary Schools and Students' Attitudes Toward CPR and AED Use

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the proven effectiveness of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), actual bystander CPR remains infrequent. The Japanese Society for Emergency Medicine started an activity to encourage schools (elementary schools/junior high schools/high schools) and school teachers to conduct a CPR training course as a systematic approach to increase bystander CPR in Japan. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare students' attitude towards CPR before and after CPR training, and to evaluate their sense of achievement after the training among young children. Method: Designs: A questionnaire survey. Main outcome measure: The positive attitude towards CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. Participants: 5th- to 6th-grade elementary school students. A questionnaire survey was carried out before and after the CPR training program in schools among 1017 children. Result: A questionnaire was completed and collected from 925 (90.9%) students both before and after the CPR training. Before the training, 46.6% and 30.1% answered yes and maybe yes, respectively, to the question: “Do you feel you could check the responses of someone collapsed in front of you? Or call for emergency assistance? ”. The proportion increased to 73.1% and 19.4%, respectively, after the CPR training (Figure). Among 340 (36.8%) children, the attitude towards CPR improved after the training. For the question: “Do you understand how to perform chest compressions?”, 63.6% and 34.6% of children answered yes and almost, respectively, after the training. 72.2% and 26.2% answered yes and almost, respectively, for the question on acquisition of AED use. Conclusion: Elementary school children can understand basic CPR skills and AED use, and CPR training can improve their attitude towards CPR and AED use. Systematic CPR training in schools including elementary schools should be more enhanced to spread CPR.