Three-Month Retention of Basic Life Support with an Automated External Defibrillator Using a Two-Stage versus Four-Stage Teaching Technique

INTRODUCTION: Resuscitation training increases bystander's ability to perform basic life support (BLS) with an automated external defibrillator (AED) immediately after training. However, several studies indicate that resuscitation skills decay rapidly. METHODS: This study evaluates retention of BLS/AED skills three months after an initial study comparing acquisition of BLS/AED skills among laypersons immediately after training with a two-stage versus four-stage teaching technique. RESULTS: There was no difference in retention of BLS/AED skills (pass rate 10.8% versus 10.9%, respectively, p=1) three months after training. Total average number of skills adequately performed (of 17) was 13.3 versus 13.7 among laypersons trained with a two-stage and a four-stage technique, respectively. No difference was found in quality of chest compressions and rescue breaths between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Three months after training, this study found no difference in retention of BLS/AED skills among laypersons taught using a two-stage compared to a four-stage teaching technique.