Abstract Body: Background
Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are critical for favorable outcomes after sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Scientific evidence supports CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training in school-age children. Few studies have used gamified, video-based training to teach students. This national project aimed to assess the acceptability and effectiveness of a brief, video-based educational program (CardiacCrash™), developed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation to teach students hands-only CPR and AED use within a classroom setting.
Methods/Results
This study reports preliminary data from two Canadian provinces (Ontario, Alberta). The acceptability and effectiveness of training was measured using a pre/post survey evaluating students’ self-confidence in recognizing SCA, calling for help, and providing bystander CPR, including the use of an AED. CPR performance was measured by using Little Anne QCPR manikins that collected data on CPR effectiveness throughout the training session. Results are stratified by student cohort (elementary—grades 4-8, and secondary—grades 9-12).
A total of 1273 students from 6 Ontario and 7 Alberta schools were trained between October 2023 to April 2024. The average age for elementary students (n=729; 47.3% male) was 11.2 ± 1.3 years, and 39.9% had previous CPR training. The average age for secondary students (n=544; 54.4% male) was 15.5 ± 1.1, and 42.6% had previous CPR training. Both groups thought the training was easy (86%), fun (81%), the correct duration (59%) and would recommend it to their friends (85%).
All outcome variables improved post-training for both elementary and secondary students, including the self-confidence to recognize and assist in cases of SCA (p=0.008 for both cohorts), (Figure 1). Secondary students were significantly better at providing effective compressions vs. elementary for most CPR measures (Table 2).
Conclusion
Preliminary data suggest that CardiacCrash™, a video-based educational program, is acceptable to school-age students and effective at teaching them to perform CPR and use an AED. While both elementary and secondary students achieved acceptable CPR performance, secondary students performed higher quality CPR.