1986 saw the introduction of a training programme, called Save a life or Heartsaver aimed at teaching members of the public basic first aid. From American experience, it was claimed that this campaign could help save many lives by teaching people resuscita tion and other life-saving skills. The extent to which these campaigns can and do achieve their objectives is examined, potential weaknesses in this training scheme identified, and suggestions made to bring the training received into line with international practice.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
2.
Thompson R.G. et al Bystander initiated CPR in the management of ventricular fibrilationAnnals of Internal Medicine197990: 5: 734-40
3.
Vincent R. et al A community Training Scheme in CardiopulmonaryResuscitation British Medical Journal1984, 288: 617-20
4.
Crampton R.S. et al Reduction of Prehospital, Ambulance and Community Coronary Death Rates by the Community-Wide Emergency Cardiac Care SystemAmencan Journal of Medicine1975, 58: 151-165
5.
6.
Aldndge B.J. et al Does FAW Save a LifeSt John Review1987: 60: 134-41
7.
Standards and Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC)JAMA1986, 255: 21: 2905-2989
8.
Grant H.D., Murray R.H., Bergeron J.D.Emergency Care3rd Ed Prentice Hall1982
9.
St John AmbulanceFirst Aid Manual5th Ed St John Ambulance1987
10.
Schmitt B H. et al Mere presence and social facilitation one more timeJ Personal and Social Psychology (in press)
11.
12.
Fisher J., Marsden A., Rogers J.Save a Life An Instructor's GuideBBC Publications1986
13.
Chase W G.Spatial representations of taxi drivers In Rogers D R, Sloboda J A (Eds) Acquisition of Symbolic SkillsPlenum1983
14.
15.
Montgomery W H (Ed) Student Manual for Basic Life SupportAmencan Heart Association1981
16.
Wynne G.ABC of ResuscitationBMJ1986, 293: 30-2
17.
18.
Hughes R J VTesting Resuscitation. Conference paper, 1986 student conference of the South Wales branch of British Psychological Society
19.
American Heart Association recommendations cited in Smith B H, Newman M J CPR Bluebooks. a program management guide 1982 Act Foundation
20.
Cobb L.A., Hallstrom A.P.Annual New York Academy ofScience1982, 382: 330-42
21.
McKenna S.P. et al Occupational First Aid and Training decy in CPR skillsJ O P1985, 58: 109-117
