The Ulster medical journal
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Foundation Year One (FY1) doctors are often the first medical staff responders at in-hospital cardiac arrests. The study objectives were to assess the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills of FY1 doctors at a Belfast teaching hospital and to highlight factors that influence their performance. ⋯ CPR performance can be influenced by factors such as gender and BMI, as such the individual rescuer should take these into account when determining which compression to ventilation ration to perform in order to maximise patient outcome. This study showed that males and those females with a BMI of >24 performed satisfactory CPR when using the recommended Resuscitation Council guidelines. Females with a BMI <24 performed CPR more effectively when using the 15:2 ratio. FY1 doctors should be fully assessed prior to performing CPR at in-hospital cardiac arrests. Remedial teaching should be given to those less than satisfactory until they are shown to be competent.