Retention of knowledge and skills in first aid and resuscitation by airline cabin crew

The study was conducted to investigate the retention of CPR and AED skills, first aid knowledge and perceived levels of confidence for a sample of 35 cabin crew twelve months after recurrent training. The 35 cabin crew undertook a mock resuscitation scenario using the AED and bag-valve-mask carried in the medical kit. Of the 35 subjects, 33 subjects failed to use the bag-mask correctly, 18 performed chest compressions at the incorrect site, only 13 achieved the correct compression depth, only 20 placed the AED pads correctly, and the average time to first shock was 110 seconds after commencement of the resuscitation. While theoretical first aid knowledge was high, the participants held low levels of self confidence in their CPR and AED skills. The results of this study indicate that cabin crew may not have sufficiently high levels of skill to manage a cardiac arrest adequately. This suggests that existing approaches to training of cabin crew require further investigation and modification.