A survey of participants in a mass CPR training course

To determine demographic data and reasons for CPR course taking among 891 participants of a mass CPR training event, a questionnaire was distributed at the time of the course. Of the 728 persons completing this initial survey, 379 (52.6%) were less than 20 years of age. Only 41 (5.6%) took the course because of a family member or close relative with cardiac disease. Of this subgroup, seven (17.1%) had taken a previous CPR course, compared with 25.7% for the entire population. Thirty-eight percent of the 60-and-over age group mentioned cardiac disease as their reason for taking the course, compared to only 2.1% for the under-20 age group. To assess recall and actual performance of CPR, a follow-up survey was mailed to all participants six months after the course. Seventy-two percent were still confident in their ability to perform CPR, although no one had performed the technique on a real victim; 61.9% thought there should have been more manikin practice time; 92.2% still had their CPR refresher card. Only 32.3% would perform CPR on a known AIDS patient. This survey provides demographic and personal data that should be considered when planning future large-scale CPR training programs.