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

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

Methods: 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.

Analysis of reasons for emergency call delays in Japan in relation to location: high incidence of correctable causes and the impact of delays on patient outcomes.

Review: The interval between collapse and emergency call influences the prognosis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). To reduce the interval, it is essential to identify the causes of delay.

Methods: Basal data were collected prospectively by fire departments from 3746 OHCAs witnessed or recognised by citizens and in which resuscitation was attempted by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2008.

Tracheal intubation by paramedics under limited indication criteria may improve the short-term outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests with noncardiac origin.

Purpose: It is not clear whether advanced airway management (AAM) with an endotracheal tube (ET) by paramedics may improve the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) compared with the use of a bag-valve-mask device (BVMD) and other AAM devices.

Methods: We analyzed 2,586 adult cases of OHCA without administration of adrenaline, witnessed or recognized by citizens in subjects transported to hospital by paramedics between 1 July 2004 and 31 March 2008 in Ishikawa, Japan, to determine whether AAM with an ET used under limited indication criteria may improve the outcome of OHCA.

Results: The airway was managed with an ET in 263 cases, other AAM devices in 660 cases, and a BVMD in 1,539 cases.