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 or CPR/AED instructors. It has published a CPR/AED training manual, which provides both the instructor and participant with standardised training material for a CPR/AED course. The manual outlines the learning outcomes that should be achieved by the participant and gives advice to instructors on the essential information required during the course. An assessment tool is also included. The manual 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 should training be delivered?
 
Answer:
There are a number of ways in which training can be delivered. Traditionally, instructor led training has been used to facilitate acquisition of knowledge and skills. A number of other methods have been employed successfully which involve little or no instructor involvement. A well designed and validated self-instructional programme using DVD or e-learning can be an effective alternative to instructor-led training. It is essential that this method includes hands-on practice as part of the programme. Validation can be by the publication (and peer acceptance) of appropriate studies of the DVD programmes, or by the internal validation of such training programmes by the organisation that wishes to use it.
 

 
 

Question:
(4)   How long should it take to train people in CPR and the use of an AED?
 
Answer:
The length of CPR/AED courses across Europe varies and is dependent on the method of delivery; ratio of instructors to participants; the amount of hands-on training; the equipment available; and, most importantly, the characteristics of the learners. For these reasons, it is not possible to recommend an optimum duration for a CPR/ AED course. The aim is to ensure all participants acquire the knowledge and skills required for them to act correctly in actual cardiac arrests and thereby improving patient outcomes.
 

 
 

Question:
(5)   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, but the frequency of this refresher training will depend on the individual. For guidance, skills should be refreshed at least once a year, but preferably more often.
 

 
 

Question:
(6)   What certification will the instructors provide?
 
Answer:
Training organisations often provide a certificate of course completion or course attendance. Ideally, this certificate should state that the participant has attended the course and demonstrated those skills listed as CPR and AED learning outcomes, as well as providing a recommended time frame for retraining.
 

 
 

Question:
(7)   What is the ideal ratio of instructor to participants for CPR and AED training?
 
Answer:
The ratio of instructors to participants will vary according to the method of delivery and time available for instruction. There is inadequate evidence from formal studies to recommend any particular ratio; the important issue is that all students have adequate time to practise. The precise arrangements will be determined by the number of instructors and training manikins available. Where these are limited classes will inevitably take longer to ensure that all participants have sufficient experience to feel confident in the techniques that are learning.

Some DVD methods of delivery require a facilitator rather than an instructor while others consist entirely of DVD / electronic material and require no instructor or facilitator. Where non-instructor methods of delivery are employed it remains important to ensure an adequate ratio of manikins to participants.
 

 
 

Question:
(8)   What is the ideal ratio of participants to manikins and training AEDs?
 
Answer:
Ideally every student should have their own manikin and training AED but resources rarely permit this. Once again, the important point is that every student has adequate time to practise in a simulated environment. Where resources are limited more time will need to be invested to ensure all participants have adequate practice. Where individuals undertake distance learning programmes it is important that they have access to manikins and training AEDs to ensure adequate practical experience.
 

 
 

Question:
(9)   Is there any Government legislation or recommendation 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.

For information on workplace health and safety legislation please refer to the Health and Safety Executive’s website http://www.hse.gov.uk/.
 

 
 
 
 

	© Resuscitation Council (UK)  2012   This page last updated: 4 September 2012