40 The long term effects of a 3-day first aid programme for 7–14 years old primary school children

• Published in: BMJ open Vol. 8; no. Suppl 1; p. A15
• Main Authors: Banfai, B, Pandur, A, Schiszler, B, Radnai, B, Banfai-Csonka, H, Betlehem, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.04.2018
• Subjects: First aid; Long term
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-EMS.40

AimBystanders can play an important role in the event of sudden injury or illness. Our aim was to evaluate the long term effects of a 3 day first aid programme for all primary school age groups (7–14 years old).MethodThis study was a 15 months follow-up of our previous investigation.1 Five-hundred twenty-four primary school children were involved in this study (288 girls and 236 boys). Measurements were made in the following topics: adult basic life support, using an automated external defibrillator, handling an unconscious patient, managing bleeding and calling the ambulance. Data collection was made with a self-made questionnaire and observation.ResultsKnowledge and skills after 15 months were significantly higher in the majority of the measured topics than before the programme (p<0.01). However, results were significantly worse than immediately and 4 months after programme (p<0.01). Younger children overall remembered less well than older children (p<0.01). Approximately three-third of children could use an AED, know the emergency phone number and the half of them could perform correct recovery position at 15 months. Correct assessment of breathing was similar than in baseline.ConclusionThis study was the most comprehensive longitudinal study so far conducted on the effects of first aid (not only resuscitation) programme among primary school children. Participants could remember some aspects of first aid long term. However, forgetting after 15 months was significant so refreshing trainings would be mandatory annuallyReference. Banfai B, Pek E, Pandur A, Csonka H, Betlehem J. ‘The year of first aid’: Effectiveness of a 3-day first aid programme for 7–14-year-old primary school children. Emerg Med J2017;34:526–32.Conflict of interestNoneFundingNone