Abstract 283: Hands-off Time During Lay Rescuer Basic Life Support Remains High After a Standard Basic Life Support Course

Abstract

The current international guidelines for resuscitation recommend high quality chest compressions with minimal interruptions as important prerequisite for optimal survival after cardiac arrest. During the standard four hours BLS course of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) the participants learn to provide chest compressions, ventilations and to use an automated external defibrillator. We know that lay rescuers are able to learn these skills. However, it is unclear whether lay rescuers manage to minimize interruptions of chest compressions. Objective: To evaluate the no-flow fraction (NFF) during lay rescuer BLS including chest compressions, ventilation and the use of an AED. Methods: 24 participants of a BLS/ AED course were assessed before (T1) and after (T2) the BLS training in a standardized scenario in pairs of 2 rescuers. We used a Resusci Anne Simulator manikin (Laerdal, Norway) and a Lifepak 1000 AED trainer device for the assessment. The scenario was an adult patient with cardiac arrest and persistent ventricular fibrillation (VF), duration of the scenario was 5 minutes. 28 lay persons served as control group and were assessed in pairs of 2 rescuers twice at the same day. Two-sided t-test was used to test differences between groups and between test scenarios (T1 vs. T2), p<.05 was considered significant. Results: The NFF decreased from 0.68 ± 0.1 (before the course) to 0.5 ± 0.07 (after the course), p=.000. In the control group the NFF was 0.63 ± 0.1 (scenario 1) and 0.59 ± 0.14 (second scenario), p=.244. Conclusion: A standard BLS course reduces the interruptions of chest compressions during lay rescuer CPR. However, 50% of the scenario no chest compressions are given. Interruptions are mainly due to ventilations or related to the use of the AED. Further research is necessary to improve the BLS algorithm regarding reduction of interruptions.