Understanding the Importance of the Lay Responder Experience in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is critical to increasing survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, the percentage of cases in which an individual receives bystander CPR is actually low, at only 35% to 40% globally. Preparing lay responders to recognize the signs of sudden cardiac arrest, call 9-1-1, and perform CPR in public and private locations is crucial to increasing survival from this public health problem. The objective of this scientific statement is to summarize the most recent published evidence about the lay responder experience of training, responding, and dealing with the residual impact of witnessing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The scientific statement focuses on the experience-based literature of actual responders, which includes barriers to responding, experiences of doing CPR, use of an automated external defibrillator, the impact of dispatcher-assisted CPR, and the potential for postevent psychological sequelae. The large body of qualitative and observational studies identifies several gaps in crucial knowledge that, if targeted, could increase the likelihood that those who are trained in CPR will act. We suggest using the experience of actual responders to inform more contextualized training, including the implications of performing CPR on a family member, dispelling myths about harm, training and litigation, and recognition of the potential for psychologic sequelae after the event.

Mandating Training Is Not Enough: The State of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator Training in Ontario Schools.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training in schools are mandated in the Ontario high school curriculum. We surveyed schools to understand the scope of this training, including its barriers and facilitators. We recruited 120 (58.5%) elementary, 25 (12.2%) middle, and 60 (29.3%) high schools. Almost 60% (120 of 200) provided staff with CPR training, but only 56% (27 of 48) of high schools trained students. Major barriers included lack of funding, time, and trainers. Despite government-mandated curriculum, only 56% of high schools offer CPR and AED training. More research is needed to understand the barriers to implementing this lifesaving training.

La formation en réanimation cardiorespiratoire (RCR) et défibrillateurs externes automatisés (DEA) est obligatoire dans le cadre du programme d'études secondaires des écoles de l'Ontario. Nous avons entrepris une enquête dans les écoles pour comprendre la portée de cette formation, notamment ses obstacles et ses facilitateurs. Nous avons procédé au recrutement dans 120 (58,5 %) écoles élémentaires, 25 (12,2 %) écoles intermédiaires et 60 (29,3 %) écoles secondaires. Presque 60 % (120 sur 200) des écoles secondaires offraient la formation en RCR au personnel, mais seulement 56 % (27 sur 48) formaient les élèves. Les principaux obstacles étaient le manque de financement, de temps et de formateurs. Bien que le gouvernement ait rendu obligatoire la formation en RCR et DEA dans le cadre du programme d'études secondaires, seulement 56 % des écoles offrent la formation. D'autres études sont nécessaires pour comprendre les obstacles à la mise en œuvre de cette formation qui permet de sauver des vies.