ICalled-DIY Device for Hands-On and Low-Cost Adapted Emergency Call Learning: A Simulation Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Education
• Public Health Interventions
• Emergency Preparedness

Background:

• Traditional emergency call training for children often relies on expensive equipment.
• There is a need for cost-effective, accessible training materials for emergency call simulation.
• Childhood education on emergency response is crucial for public safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a low-cost, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) training material for emergency call simulation.
• To compare the DIY material's effectiveness against a traditional training approach.
• To assess the impact of the DIY tool on children's ability to make emergency calls.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was employed with 762 schoolchildren aged 3-12.
• The experimental group (ICall-G) used a stuffed toy and the ICalled-DIY device, while the control group (C-G) used an adult dummy and an authentic smartphone.
• Training utilized a didactic-demonstration-simulation methodology, followed by an evaluation using a simulation scenario and checklist.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found between groups in unlocking phones or dialling emergency numbers (e.g., 112).
• Hands-free activation was significantly higher in the ICall-G (81%) compared to the C-G (54%).
• Performance varied by age group, with pre-primary results lower than primary education levels.

Conclusions:

• A practical, low-cost DIY tool for emergency call instruction is comparable in efficacy to conventional methods.
• The ICalled-DIY device demonstrated superior effectiveness in teaching hands-free activation during emergency call simulations.
• Adapted, affordable training materials can be valuable for emergency preparedness education in children.