Medical care
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Evaluation of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation course for secondary schools.
The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of teaching secondary school students to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to National Research Council (NRC)--American Heart Association (AHA) standards. Criterion levels specified by AHA call for cardiac compression at a rate of 60 times a minute with two ventilations interposed after 15 cardiac compressions. Translated into numerical performance per minute, this standard equates to 36 compressions and six ventilations per minute. ⋯ Retention figures compare favorably with studies in the area of psychomotor learning. The study suggests that it is possible to train secondary school students to perform the ABC's of CPR if they have an opportunity to practice these skills. The study also suggests that the teacher training is an important factor.