“Dare to save a life at school”: Implementation of a CPR+AED sequence in the PE curriculum

In Europe, about 500,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest each year, with a survival rate of 5–10% (ERC, 2015). Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) could increase this survival rate by 2–3 times. Unfortunately, less than 20% of the general population is able to perform it effectively (Plant & Taylor, 2013). Besides, most of the public facilities are now equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). In a physical literacy perspective (Whitehead, 2013), PE teachers are ideally placed to teach basic life support (BLS) to their students (Colquhoun, 2012).

Eleven PE teachers were trained to teach a CPR + AED sequence adapted to the Belgian French community PE curriculum. 307 students (17.1 ± 0.8 years old) performed hands-on manikin-based instruction and practice during 6 sessions of PE. Knowledge of the CPR + AED protocol was assessed by questionnaire at baseline (T0), after the intervention (T1) and after a three months’ follow-up period (T2). Practical application of the CPR + AED protocol was assessed with an evaluation grid and a manikin measuring CPR performance at T1 and T2. A process analysis was performed from the video recording of the sessions and from satisfactory questionnaires.

Preliminary results from the 6 PE teachers who taught the sequence to their students (n = 155) during the first part of the school year exposed significant improvements from T0 to T2 in the knowledge of the CPR + AED protocol (from 7 ± 3.4/20 to 16 ± 2.4/20; p < 0.001). Average score on the evaluation grid was 16 ± 1.7/20 at T1 and remained rather constant at T2 (15.3 ± 1.8/20). Depth and rate of chest compressions remained stable between T1 and T2 (≈105/min.; ≈41 mm). Volume of breaths decreased significantly from T1 to T2 (590 ± 443 ml to 305 ± 248 ml; p < 0.001).

The CPR + AED sequence led to encouraging improvements of the knowledge, abilities and confidence of the students. PE teachers felt valuated and able to contribute autonomously to this major public health challenge.