Differential effects of ageing and BLS training experience on attitude towards basic life support

To determine the effects of ageing and training experience on attitude towards performing basic life support (BLS).

We gave a questionnaire to attendants of the courses for BLS or safe driving in authorised driving schools. The questionnaire included questions about participants' backgrounds. The questionnaire explored the participant's willingness to perform BLS in four hypothetical scenarios related to early emergency call, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) under their own initiative, telephone-assisted compression-only CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), respectively.

There were significant differences in gender, occupation, residential area, experience of BLS training, and knowledge of AED use among the young (17-29 y, N = 6122), middle-aged (30-59 y, N = 827) and elderly (>59 y, N = 15,743) groups. In all four scenarios, the proportion of respondents willing to perform BLS was lowest in the elderly group. More respondents in the elderly group were willing to follow the telephone-assisted instruction rather than performing CPR under their own initiative. Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed ageing as an independent factor related to negative attitude in all scenarios. Gender, occupation, resident area, experience with BLS training and knowledge about AED use were other independent factors. Prior BLS training did not increase willingness to make an emergency call.

The aged population has a more negative attitude towards performing BLS. BLS training should be modified to help the elderly gain confidence with the essential elements of BLS, including making early emergency calls.