Emergency, cardiac arrest! Can we teach the skills?

The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) has produced basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS) guidelines 1992 in an attempt to standardize the training and delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In response to this, the Avon and Gloucestershire College of Health, Glenside Centre (now University of the West of England), conducted a small survey, testing studentsʹ knowledge and skills in delivering CPR. Students were able to improve knowledge levels, but did not uniformly improve practical skills. ing this, the college formed a resuscitation team whose members coordinate CPR training in the curriculum, using uniform teaching packs which follow the ERC Guidelines ERC 1992a, and resuscitation equipment purchased by the college as the result of the research findings. In addition to maintaining uniform content, sessions are compulsory and studentsʹ CPR skills are tested, with a 70% competency level set as a pass. Student results and attendance are stored on a college database, along with tutor information regarding updating of CPR skills. ieve these developments, the college has had to consider time allocation within the curriculum, training of tutors, funding of resources and funding of a compulsory training programme, which supports a ratio of one tutor to six students. Evaluations of the changes are favourable, as studentsʹ CPR skills and knowledge show obvious improvement and the studentsʹ general confidence and enthusiasm are enhanced.