Basic Life Support Skills for high school students pre and post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation training- An interventional study

Abstract

Introduction: Immediate Bystander CPR improves the survival outcome of victims experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the emergency preparedness level, training feasibility and knowledge retention of BLS skills among High School students. Materials and Methods: A total of 16 participants were included in the study by convenience sampling method. They were provided with Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) scenario and were asked to perform on a CPR training manikin and assessed using a checklist. Following this session, a theoretical background and hands-on training was given to the students by an AHA certified instructor. This session was concluded by reassessing the participants. A week later, we re-assessed their skill retention. Results: The mean pre-training score was 2.6 (± 1.9). The post-training and one week recall scores was 12.44 (± 0.89) and 12 (±1.05) respectively. We observed a significant difference between the pre- and post-training scores (p<0.001). The post-training score and the one week recall scores were similar which implies that the students have good short term knowledge retention of BLS skills. Conclusion: Knowledge of basic life support skills is low among high school students. They have the ability to learn with good hands-on training and instruction. They also have good retention of the skills one week later.