Abstract 226: Comparison of a Low and High Resource Model to Effectively Train College Students in Compression Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Introduction: High quality chest compressions, as measured by depth and rate per minute, are an integral component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR compression skills are often taught on a high resource training device such as manikin torso. Use of these manikin torso devices may be limited by availability and cost, reducing the number of individuals trained in CPR. We hypothesize that a bed pillow, a low resource device, is as effective as a manikin torso, a high resource device, in training college students to perform compression only CPR. Methods: College students with no prior CPR training were randomized to one of two training rooms, one with a bed pillow (n=119) and one with a manikin torso (n=123). Each participant watched a two- minute training video, which included a demonstration using the respective device and a practice-while-watching technique chest compression skills practice. Each room had a certified CPR instructor to assist and answer any technical questions. Another CPR instructor, blinded to the training randomizations, observed each participant for one minute on a recording manikin that evaluated the depth and rate of compressions. Results: Manikin-trained students had a significantly higher mean rate of compressions per minute compared to the pillow-trained students (122.9 vs. 118.0; p= 0.028). The manikin group exceeded the recommended rate range (100-120 compressions per minute). There was no significant difference between compression depth in the two groups; manikin-trained students had an average compression depth of 38.27 mm while pillow-trained students had an average compression depth of 38.50 mm (p=0.89). Mean compression depth for both groups were below the guidelines (50-61 mm).There was no significant difference (p=0.81) between the overall CPR competency of the pillow-trained compared to the manikin-trained students as measured by rate and depth of compressions. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that a low resource pillow is comparable to a high resource manikin as a CPR training device. The use of a low resource training device can remove the barriers of cost and availability in training college students in CPR. This training method will allow for an increase in the number of people trained to save lives.