In an emergency, the ability to perform CPR is often the difference between life and death. However, the importance of CPR refresher training can often be overlooked despite its critical role in ensuring these lifesaving skills remain sharp and effective.
CPR is an invaluable skill that everyone, not just healthcare professionals, should possess. As many readers will know, it’s a procedure that can restore blood circulation and breathing in a person who’s suffered a cardiac arrest. Immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival, but its efficacy can depend on the regularity of refresher courses, not just the initial training received.
Regular CPR training can ensure that individuals can confidently and effectively respond to emergencies. It helps refresh one’s memory on the process, keeping us updated with any changes in CPR techniques and helps overcome the dangerous impact of fear and hesitation during a crisis.
The Reality of CPR Skill Retention
Research shows that without regular refresher training, there is a significant drop-off in CPR retention, which can greatly affect the effectiveness of CPR in real-world situations. Several studies have explored how CPR skill retention drops with no refresher training.
One such study, taking place in a randomised, controlled trial, highlighted the poor retention of CPR skills without consistent refresher courses. Interestingly, it also indicated that the duration of the initial course had a minimal impact on long-term skill retention.
The Impact of Training Regularity on CPR and First Aid Skill Retention
A study published in Resuscitation Journal attempted to resolve this by randomising training intervals among a cohort of participants. They were given training at 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month intervals over the course of a 12-month study period. Practice sessions comprised a two-minute CPR session with visual and verbal feedback until ‘excellent’ CPR was achieved.
Of the 167 participants (whose baseline CPR capabilities were equal), those who took part in monthly training had a significantly higher proportion of ‘excellent’ CPR results than those in all other groups.
This result might not be unexpected, but the scale of the difference is remarkable. 58% of those taking part in monthly refresher training scored ‘excellent’ results, more than double the next highest percentage of 26% in the 3-month group. This highlights starkly how regular CPR training is important in strengthening the chain of survival.
The Public Attitude towards CPR and First Aid Skill Retention
Public perceptions towards CPR refresher training play a crucial role in the overall efficacy of these lifesaving skills within our communities. While awareness of the role of initial CPR training is widespread, understanding and engagement with regular refresher courses are often less pronounced.
What are the Barriers to CPR Refresher Training?
Time constraints and the perceived inconvenience of attending scheduled training sessions can discourage individuals. So, too, can the cost associated with some forms of training, which may be prohibitive to many. Furthermore, some people may feel uncomfortable or anxious about performing CPR in a group setting.
How do we Overcome Them?
Research suggests that once people understand the significant drop-off in CPR and First Aid skill retention without regular training, they’re more likely to appreciate the necessity of refresher courses.
To increase public engagement in CPR refresher training, several strategies could be employed:
- Make training more accessible through online or hybrid learning.
- Providing affordable or free training as often as possible.
- Continuing to raise public awareness of the importance of CPR refresher training and where people can acquire it.
Different Forms of CPR Refresher Training
While statistically effective, for many organisations and community groups, conducting monthly in-person CPR refresher training courses simply isn’t feasible. However there are several innovative approaches to training that are flexible and equally as effective.
In-Person Workshops
Traditional classroom-based training usually involves hands-on practice with a certified instructor. This format provides immediate feedback, allowing for corrections and improvements in real time. It also enables participants to practice on manikins, mimicking real-life scenarios.
However, in-person workshops can be time-consuming and may not fit into the schedule of every organisation or staff member. They also often require a larger cohort of participants to be truly cost-effective.
Rolling Refreshers
This new approach involves short, frequent training sessions implemented on a ‘just-in-time’ or ‘just-in-place’ basis. In one study, portable manikins with chest compression sensors to provide automated corrective feedback were deployed to 420 medical staff.
Short, ad-hoc training sessions were completed frequently (more than twice per month) with certain participants, while others continued in a traditional, less regular refresher pattern.
The studies found that the Rolling Refresher model was highly effective, with compliance being achieved by the regular trainees far more quickly. Consequently, following actual resuscitations, CPR providers rated the Rolling Refresher model 4/5 in terms of its effectiveness.
Not only does this highlight how regular CPR training is important in retaining CPR skills, but it also demonstrates how new, flexible approaches to refresher training can result in equally effective knowledge retention.
Online Courses
Online CPR refresher courses offer flexibility, allowing individuals to learn at their own pace and convenience. They often include video demonstrations and quizzes to ensure understanding and retention. However, they lack hands-on practice and direct feedback from an instructor, which could be disadvantageous to some learners.
Hybrid Learning
This approach makes use of both technology and instructor feedback to deliver a ‘best of both worlds’ approach to CPR refresher training. By furnishing an instructor with manikins that offer automatic feedback (like the innovative Brayden models), instructors can oversee larger cohorts without having to approach each individual learner to monitor their CPR capabilities.
Brayden Manikins also partner with Brayden Online, a bespoke app. This allows instructors to holistically assess the progress of both individual learners and the cohort as a whole. Not only does this expedite training and ensure knowledge retention, but it also increases the training capacity of individual instructors.
Credit: Innosonian
Don’t Let Your CPR Skills Fade
Act now to ensure you’re prepared to save a life when it matters most. View WEL Medical’s range of lifesaving training equipment to make sure that you are giving yourself and your organisation the best possible chance at saving lives. Alternatively, please feel free to get in touch for more information on skills maintenance.
