Purpose of the study: a recent Italian law encourages to spread cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) knowledge and the public use of defibrillator [1-3]. The aim of our study was to evaluate students' knowledge about CPR, defibrillator, and the propensity towards them. We then assessed the effect of a theoretical and practical lesson on knowledge and propensity to practice CPR and use defibrillator. Materials and methods: this is a prospective before and after study realized between October and December 2021. We enrolled voluntary students attending Italian high school. A multiple choice anonymous web-based questionnaire was sent. The knowledge about CPR, use of defibrillator and propensity in practising basic life support (BLS) was recorded. After a brief BLS course, students were asked to fill the same questionnaire. Each course was organized in a short lesson followed by a practical drill using a manikin (mini Anne-Laerdal). Results: 674 students were enrolled. Despite 69.8% answered to know CPR manoeuvre, less than 1% correctly knows the whole procedure (correct site of hand position, frequency and depth). The use of defibrillator was said to known by 93% but only 10.3 % correctly recognized its symbol. After the course we recorded a more confidence with CPR knowledge (69.8 vs 95.7%) (P <0.01). Propensity towards practising CPR increased from 73.5% to 85.1% (P < 0.01) while towards the use of defibrillator raised from 46.7% to 74.4% (P < 0.01). Conclusions: among young people, the knowledge on CPR manoeuvres is very low despite what believed. A brief practical course may be useful in increasing both knowledge and propensity towards these life-saving manoeuvres. References 1) Böttiger BW, et al. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017 Mar 14;6(3):e005738. 2) Scapigliati A, et al. Resuscitation. 2021 Oct;167:47-48. 23) Nakagawa NK, et al. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2021 Dec 1;27(6):623-636.

“A beating heart” project: a research about knowledge and propensity towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation among young Italian students

Implementation of the Guidelines - How do we put the new ERC Guidelines into practice?

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