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Pavón Prieto MP, Navarro Patón R, Basanta Camiño S, Regueira Méndez C, Neira Pájaro MA, Freire Tellado M
Objective.
To evaluate schoolchildren’s ability to use a semiautomatic external defibrillator (SAED) in terms of how long they take to deliver a shock 6 months after they received training.
Methods.
Uncontrolled, quasi-experimental study. Schoolchildren in grades 5 and 6 without prior knowledge of how to use a SAED were included. After the children answered a questionnaire about their knowledge, they were asked to position the SAED to treat a training mannequin. We measured the time it took them to switch on the device, place
the electrode pads, and deliver the first shock (T0). The children were then individually given a simple explanation lasting approximately 60 seconds, after which we measured the time they took to place the SAED again and deliver a shock (T1). Each child’s time was measured again 6 months later (T2).
Results.
A total of 253 children aged between 10 and 13 years participated; 128 (50.6%) were girls. All the children were able to use the SAED without prior training, although we did not take into consideration mistakes they made in placing the pads at baseline (T0). The mean times were as follows: T0, 83 (SD 14) seconds; T1, 44 (SD 5) seconds;
and T2, 45 (SD 7) seconds. The mean differences between times were as follows: T0–T1, 39 (SD 13) seconds (P < .001); T0–T2, 38 (SD 15) seconds (P < .001); and T1–T2, 1.4 (SD 7.5) seconds (P = .010).
Conclusions.
Fifth- and sixth-grade primary school students are able to use a SAED without training. After the children received a brief explanation, they were able to deliver an effective shock without committing errors. The time until the first shock scarcely changed after 6 months had passed. We conclude that it would not be necessary to provide training for SAED use as often as is required for manual external chest compressions.
