Does knowing hands only CPR improve willingness to use it?

Abstract

Background: Approximately 1,000 U.S. citizens suffer from sudden cardiac arrest daily outside of the hospital setting. Providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves survival if appropriately administered; however, many are resistant to initiate mouth to mouth. Hands only CPR (HOCPR) was developed by the American Heart Association to improve technique retention and increase the willingness to administer CPR. Methods: Participants watched a teaching video from the American Heart Association, followed by a mannequin demonstration. Participants then filled out a survey immediately after practicing HOCPR on the mannequin and at one month. Results: 75 Subjects received HOCPR training and completed a survey and 44 (59%) of the subjects completed a one month follow-up survey. The initial survey revealed that 100% (n = 75) were able to correctly recall the HOCPR process and 79% (n = 59) were very likely to provide HOCPR to a person suffering from a cardiac episode. 76% (n = 57) were more willing to assist a person in need as a result of not having to provide breathes to the person in need. At the one month follow-up, 100% (n = 59) of the respondents remembered the order of steps and 73% (n = 32) were willing to provide HOCPR since no rescue breathing was required. After learning the material, 15% (n = 11) of the participants tried to teach their family and friends about HOCPR. Conclusion: HOCPR is a simple method which the average person is able to recall after a brief training in proper technique. Subjects were more willing to provide HOCPR and teach family and friends.