Theoretical-practical training of students from high school to care for cardiac arrest: a prospective study

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Brazil and the world, sudden cardiac arrest is a major contributor to this index. Training reduces the ignorance and fear, increasing safety to recognize that the victim is not breathing properly, so as to trigger the help and start CPR as soon as possible. Objectives: To apply a theoretical-pratical trainning of vocational public high school, to work correctly, quickly and safely before a cardiopulmonary arrest, resuscitation maneuvers running efficiently, in order to save lives. Methods: This studywas designed as a prospective investigation in all of 1800 students of vocational public high school, located at Rio de Janeiro. The program of theoretical and practical training lasts 2 hours. Each student attends a lecture with video on the subject for 30 minutes after 30 minutes of classroom practice. Then, using practical training mannequin, which are assessed through a performance checklist. A questionnaire was distributed before the start of training to see if the student had prior knowledge about a rescue in the event of cardiac arrest. Results: More than 50% did not have any knowledge about the subject. This preliminary evaluation showed that after 2 hours of training and analyzed the performance checklists: 85% knew how to perform the procedures call for help effectively, 30% were able to recognize the absence of breathing, 35% positioned themselves and began of chest compressions recommended form. Conclusion: Students from that school are represented by 90% of adolescents when trained are able to act in the scene of a cardiac arrest, multiply the knowledge to family and community and save lives. However, according to the international recommendations of retraining as an ideal that does not exceed two years.