Basic life support training for health care students

• Published in: Resuscitation Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 19 - 23
• Main Authors: Perkins, Gavin D, Hulme, Jonathan, Shore, Hannah R, Bion, Julian F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.06.1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Basic life support; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - education; First Aid; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Students, Health Occupations; Teaching - methods; Training; Training; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Basic life support; Intensive cardiocirculatory care; Intensive care; Dentist; Physician; First emergency care; Kinesitherapist; Method; Student; Teaching; Nurse
• ISSN: 0300-9572; 1873-1570
• DOI: 10.1016/S0300-9572(99)00037-4

This paper describes a novel method for delivering basic life support training to undergraduate healthcare students. A comprehensive 8 h programme is organised and delivered by undergraduate students to their peers. These students have undergone training as basic life support instructors validated by the Royal Life Saving Society UK. The course is delivered to multiprofessional groups of medical, dental, physiotherapy, biomaterial and nursing undergraduates. It has been well received by students and academic staff and provides a solution to reduce the workload of over burdened clinical staff while at the same time enhancing quality. It forms part of an overall strategy for improving resuscitation training for undergraduates from all disciplines.