Teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation to CEGEP students in Quebec--a pilot project

In order to increase CPR training in Quebec, we designed a pilot study to test out the efficacy of training CEGEP (junior college) students in CPR. We tried out four different methods of teaching CPR on students (Group A 'control', 4 h course, manikin to student ratio 1:4; Group B, 4 h course, manikin to student ratio 1:1; Group C, 2 h course, manikin to student ratio 1:1; Group D, video-assisted CPR instruction, manikin to student ratio 1:1). CPR skills were tested on a computerized manikin at the end of the initial course and again at the end of the semester in order to evaluate short and long-term retention of skills. There were no significant differences between the test groups and the control group in terms of compressions or ventilations at the beginning and end of the semester, however groups C and D performed significantly better primary surveys (Airway, Breathing, Circulation - ABC sequences) during the initial testing. The most common reasons reported by students for not taking CPR courses were the cost of courses (49.2%) and the inconvenience of courses (26.2%), similarly the two most common incentives which could get students to take CPR courses were; free courses (65.6%) and greater accessibility of courses (54.1%). Video-assisted CPR training appears to be feasible, enjoyable and as, if not more effective than traditional CPR courses. Instituting a mandatory video-assisted CPR program in the CEGEP system in Quebec and in high schools and colleges throughout the world, would be a cost-effective way to train massive amounts of young people in CPR.