KNOWLEDGE OF BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AND THE USE OF AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS
Abstract
Cardiac arrest is a common cause of death. Often an eyewitness is present, who we would wish is able and motivated to provide appropriate help. In Slovenia some training of basic life support and the use of automatic external defibrillators is already provided; however, it would be sensible to expand the training to as large a lay population as possible, so they are confident to approach a person suffering a cardiac arrest and help them. This article outlines a descriptive empirical study, using a survey questionnaire. The survey was conducted among primary and secondary school pupils in north-east Slovenia, using the online application MS forms. The results were analysed using the computer software MS Excel. A total of 146 participants took part in the survey. The results showed that the majority (64%) of the participants had already taken part in training of basic life support and the use of an automatic external defibrillator. Secondary school students had most often completed such training as a part of taking a driving test. Knowledge of the correct action in the event of a cardiac arrest was insufficient, as fewer than half of the participants correctly answered questions about the frequency and depth of compressions and the correct administration of rescue breathing. In general, secondary school students were a little more knowledgeable than primary school pupils; however, even they often selected wrong answers, particularly concerning the location of compressions. The majority of respondents believed that the use of automatic external defibrillators was simple and could be done by anybody; however, less than half knew where an automatic external defibrillator was located in their vicinity. Based on the analysis of the gathered data, those who had already taken part in training had better knowledge. It is proposed that more effort is put into raising awareness among young people about the location of the nearest automatic external defibrillators in the environment where they live and go to school.
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