Laypersons may learn basic life support in 24min using a personal resuscitation manikin.

Background: Bystander basic life support (BLS) is an important part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and improves outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, the general population has poor BLS skills. Several training initiatives could be used to improve this situation and the challenge is to find the most efficient one.

Aims: To compare the efficiency of a 24 min instruction using a DVD-based self-training BLS course combined with a simple, take-home resuscitation manikin to a conventional 6h course for teaching BLS to laypersons.

Methods: In total, 238 laypersons (age 21-55 years) without previous BLS-training were allocated into two groups: one group received 24 min of instruction using a DVD-based instruction tool on a big screen combined with a BLS self-training device, Laerdal MiniAnne manikin (MAM), before taking home the instruction material for subsequent self-training. The second group attended a conventional 6 h BLS course (6 HR). After 3 months BLS skills were assessed on a Laerdal ResusciAnne manikin using the Laerdal PC Skill reporting System, and a total score was calculated.

Results: There was no significant difference between groups in BLS performance using the total score. Assessment of breathing was performed significantly more often in the 6 HR-group (91% versus 72%, P=0.03). In the MAM-group, average inflation volume and chest compression depth were significantly higher (844 mL versus 524 mL, P=0.006, and 45 mm versus 39 mm, P=0.005).

Conclusions: When assessed after 3 months, a 24 min DVD-based instruction plus subsequent self-training in BLS appears equally effective compared to a 6h BLS course and hence is more efficient.