Basic life support education in secondary schools: a cross-sectional survey in London, UK

Abstract

ObjectivesBasic life support (BLS) training in schools is associated with improved outcomes from cardiac arrest. International consensus statements have recommended universal BLS training for school-aged children. The current practice of BLS training in London schools is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess current practices of BLS training in London secondary schools.Setting, population and outcomesA prospective audit of BLS training in London secondary schools was conducted. Schools were contacted by email, and a subsequent telephone interview was conducted with staff familiar with local training practices. Response data were anonymised and captured electronically. Universal training was defined as any programme which delivers BLS training to all students in the school. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the results.ResultsA total of 65 schools completed the survey covering an estimated student population of 65 396 across 19 of 32 London boroughs. There were 5 (8%) schools that provide universal training programmes for students and an additional 31 (48%) offering training as part of an extracurricular programme or chosen module. An automated external defibrillator (AED) was available in 18 (28%) schools, unavailable in 40 (61%) and 7 (11%) reported their AED provision as unknown. The most common reasons for not having a universal BLS training programme are the requirement for additional class time (28%) and that funding is unavailable for such a programme (28%). There were 5 students who died from sudden cardiac arrest over the period of the past 10 years.ConclusionsBLS training rates in London secondary schools are low, and the majority of schools do not have an AED available in case of emergency. These data highlight an opportunity to improve BLS training and AEDs provision. Future studies should assess programmes which are cost-effective and do not require significant amounts of additional class time.

Impact of a Training Intervention for Usein Emergency Situations on Knowledge and Skills Acquisition by Undergraduate Students

“…In a recent study, five students at different secondary schools in London died of sudden cardiac arrest within a period of ten years (Salciccioli et al, 2017).This reinforces the need for basic life support training for students, which in the longterm will contribute a larger general population with knowledge and skills in CPR.…”

Teaching Basic Life Support to schoolchildren: quasi-experimental study

“…On the other hand, the teaching of FA at school, with emphasis on approaches in situations of CRA, has received international attention and prominence in the nursing literature ( 4 , 19 - 21 ) , despite the scarcity of studies that address the theme with elementary school students.…”

“…In Brazil, as of 2017, annual training in FA has become mandatory for professionals from public and private schools, however, the educational approach aimed at students is still optional ( 2 - 3 ) . The researches ( 4 , 19 - 21 ) teaching BLS to a victim in cardiac arrest has been carried out, mostly, with students aged between 11 and 15 years, with no direct implications of gender and age on results or performance. These data is in line with the sociodemographic findings of this investigation.…”

Public awareness about the use of automatic external defibrillator (AED) in giving first aid

“…In Poland, like in other highly developed countries, the number of automated external defibrillators is constantly growing. They are being deployed, for example, in trains, at railway stations, in churches, sports venues, catering and entertainment facilities and in various other places [24,26]. Unfortunately, as the authors' own research and that of the other authors showed, the public awareness of what these devices really are, where to find them or how to use them, is still low and therefore, continuing education in this area needs to be provided.…”