The answers to the following frequently asked questions on CPR and AED training have been updated by the BLS/AED subcommittee to include learning outcomes and assessment. These reflect the learning outcomes and assessment criteria in the publication by the Resuscitation Council (UK) entitled Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillation – A Training Manual. This manual provides both the trainer and candidate with standardised training material for a CPR/AED course.

Please see our Publications section for details of the CPR and AED training manual.
 

Question:
(1) Who can train people in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and what qualifications should they hold?
 
Answer:
There are no statutory legal provisions in the UK relating to the practice of resuscitation or defibrillation, but both the users of AEDs and those who provide training in their use have obligations under common law. Further details may be found in our publication The Legal Status of those who Attempt Resuscitation.

The Resuscitation Council (UK) recommends that those who train others in CPR and the use of AEDs should be appropriately qualified. Provided that they are skilled in teaching, and able to demonstrate competency in CPR and the use of an AED, the following people are suggested: doctors, nurses, resuscitation officers, community defibrillation officers, paramedics, statutory ambulance service trainers, voluntary aid society and voluntary rescue organisation trainers, and other individuals such as accredited first aid trainers. This list is not exhaustive.

First aid training organisations wishing to offer ‘First Aid at Work’ courses should be approved by the Health and Safety Executive for this purpose. This course does not currently include training in defibrillation.
 

Question:
(2) If I want training in CPR and in the use of an AED where do I go?
 
Answer:
Currently, courses are offered by the voluntary aid societies and voluntary rescue organisations, some statutory ambulance trusts, resuscitation officers, and community defibrillation officers. Whilst there is no prescriptive course programme, these organisations should be teaching the Resuscitation Council (UK) recommendations and using the learning outcomes as a framework.

The Resuscitation Council (UK) does not provide CPR and AED training, nor does it accredit CPR/AED courses and CPR/AED trainers. It has published a CPR/AED training manual, which provides both the trainer and candidate with standardised training material for a CPR/AED course. The manual outlines the learning outcomes that should be achieved by the candidate and gives advice to trainers on the essential information required during the course, an assessment tool and certificate. It is suitable for those who wish to train in CPR and the use of an AED, whether they are healthcare providers, lay community responders or members of the public.
 

Question:
(3) How long should it take to train people in CPR and the use of an AED?
 
Answer:
The average length of an instructor-led course in Europe has been reported as 3 hours 15 minutes for CPR and 2 hours 45 minutes for use of an AED. There is, however, a move towards shorter courses and combining CPR and AED training in one session. Newer teaching techniques, particularly video-based self-instruction, appear to be effective and to reduce the time needed to acquire resuscitation skills.

For these reasons, it is not possible to recommend an optimum duration for a CPR/ AED course. The goal should be to enable all participants to achieve the learning outcomes recommended by the Resuscitation Council (UK).
 

Question:
(4) How often should people be retrained?
 
Answer:
It is important that resuscitation skills are refreshed regularly, particularly by those who have a duty to respond in an emergency. The principle is that skills should be maintained at an effective level at all times. Individual employers and organisations should make arrangements for retraining to be available. The frequency of this refresher training will depend on the individual but, for guidance, skills should be refreshed at least once a year, and preferably more often.
 

Question:
(5) What certification will the trainers provide?
 
Answer:
Training organisations often provide a certificate of course completion or course attendance. Ideally this certificate should state that the candidate has attended the course and demonstrated those skills listed as CPR and AED learning outcomes.
 

Question:
(6) What is the ideal ratio of trainer to candidates for CPR and AED training?
 
Answer:
It is desirable that the ratio of trainer to candidate is no greater than one to six for both CPR and AED provider courses.
 

Question:
(7) What is the ideal ratio of candidates to manikins?
 
Answer:
It is desirable that each pair of candidates is provided with a manikin, and that the trainer has a separate manikin for demonstration purposes.
 

Question:
(8) What is the ideal ratio of training AEDs to candidates?
 
Answer:
It is desirable that one training AED be allocated to two candidates.
 

Question:
(9) Is there any Government legislation or recommendations that employers should have AEDs?
 
Answer:
There is no specific legal requirement for employers to provide defibrillators in the workplace. The Health and Safety Executive’s syllabus of first aid training for offshore installations does include the use of defibrillators but this is not extended to onshore first aid. However, the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 do not prevent an employer from providing defibrillators which could benefit both their employees and the public.

Questions on workplace legislation initially should be directed to the Health and Safety Executive’s Infoline (Tel: 0845 345 0055, Fax: 0845 408 9566, E-mail: hse.infoline@natbrit.com).
 
 
 
 

	© Resuscitation Council (UK)  2007   This page last updated: 9 November 2007