Efficacy of Basic Life Support and Automatic External Defibrillator Educational Program for High School

Background: Bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the automatic external defibrillator (AED), and rapid activation of emergency medical service have major roles in the chain of survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. To integrate the basic life support (BLS) knowledge into the high school curriculum, teachers are the key person. Objective: To examine the effectiveness of the BLS training program for high school teachers. Methods: In this prospective study of 146 participants, before and immediately after 2 hours lecture and 3 hours hands-on activity of BLS training program consisting of instruction on CPR, AED, and first aid for foreign body aspiration, written tests were done to assess knowledge while participants’ attitudes were evaluated by a questionnaire survey. Results: A total of 146 participants, BLS knowledge increased in all parts (early activation, chest compression, and defibrillation increased by 27.3%, 51.3%, and 82.1% with adjusted OR 13.81, 19.08, and 849.47, respectively; P < .001), as well as participant’s confidence increased from 47.6% to 95.8% (adjusted OR, 31.69; P < .001). Conclusions: BLS training in high school teachers increased both knowledge of chains of survival and confidence.