Skills among young and elderly laypersons during simulated dispatcher assisted CPR and after CPR training.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dispatcher assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) increase the rate of bystander CPR. The aim of the study was to compare the performance of DA-CPR and attainable skills following CPR training between young and elderly laypersons. METHODS: Volunteer laypersons (young 18-40 years; elderly > 65 years) participated. Single rescuer CPR was performed in a simulated DA-CPR cardiac arrest scenario and after CPR training. Data were obtained from a manikin and from video recordings. The primary endpoint was chest compression depth. RESULTS: Overall, 56 young (median age 26, years since last CPR training 6) and 58 elderly (median age 72, years since last CPR training 26.5) participated. Young laypersons performed deeper (mean (SD) 56 (14) mm vs. 39 (19) mm, P < 0.001) and faster (median (25th-75th percentile) 107 (97-112) per min vs. 84 (74-107) per min, P < 0.001) chest compressions compared to elderly. Young laypersons had shorter time to first compression (mean (SD) 71 (11) seconds vs. 104 (38) seconds, P < 0.001) and less hands-off time (median (25th-75th percentile) 0 (0-1) seconds vs. 5 (2-10) seconds, P < 0.001) than elderly. After CPR training chest compressions were performed with a depth (mean (SD) 64 (8) mm vs. 50 (14) mm, P < 0.001) and rate (mean (SD) 111 (11) per min vs. 93 (18) per min, P < 0.001) for young and elderly laypersons respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite long CPR retention time for both groups, elderly laypersons had longer retention time, and performed inadequate DA-CPR compared to young laypersons. Following CPR training the attainable CPR level was of acceptable quality for both young and elderly laypersons.