Skill retention is enhanced after previous brief CPR training

Abstract

Introduction: Short courses are a way to encourage lay people to learn CPR (1) and since 2001 the French Red Cross has proposed a 1-h CPR course to the general public. Our aims were to assess the retention of knowledge and skills in persons who have already followed a short CPR course compared to totally lay people. Materials and methods: The evaluation of skills was performed on a population of college students. Each CPR skill was assessed using Little Anne™ Laerdal manikins with “YES” if the technique was efficient and “NO” if it was not performed or performed inefficiently. Parametric tests were used to compare the two groups. Results: Six hundred and two children (aged 13.6 ± 3.4 years) were included. Two hundred and twenty three (37%) were beforehand had trained in first aid as they had completed a 1-h CPR course 2.3 ± .8 years ago. Compared to totally lay people, better performances were noted in the assessment of responsiveness (49 [22%] versus 56 [14.7%], p < .05), opening airway (30 [13.5%] versus 13 [3.4%], p < .0001) and assessment of signs of life (35 [15.7%] versus 29 [7.6%], p < .005) were significantly higher in the previously trained group. Quality of CPR was also significantly better in the previously trained group, with better chest compressions (33 [14.8%] versus 12 [3.2%], p < .0001) and better rescue breathing (16 [7.2%] versus 7 [1.8%], p < .005). No difference was observed between the two groups in calling for help (38 [17.0%] versus 81 [21.3%], ns). Conclusion: Most of CPR skills are better memorised in a previously trained group, suggesting that short training CPR courses were efficient although the quality of CPR in itself was poor, probably because of a relatively long time between the first course and the evaluation of skills. This point emphasises the importance of repeated refresher training for a better retention of knowledge and skills.