Most people are too scared to carry out emergency CPR on a child

12 April 2011

Imagine that you were out shopping or on your way to work and saw a child collapse in the street; they are unconscious and not breathing. What would YOU do? Shockingly, only around one in ten people would act to administer CPR, according to new research released today.

A national survey of 2,784 people commissioned by DK and the UK's leading First Aid Providers St John Ambulance, St Andrew's First Aid and British Red Cross to mark national First Aid Awareness Week (11th-15th April), shows that only 14% would act to administer CPR, with the overwhelming majority of people (77%) opting to call the emergency services. A further 9% would ask for help from others.

Interestingly, the nation is much more likely to administer CPR on their immediate family. When asked what they would do if their own father collapsed, his heart had stopped and he was not breathing, nearly two in five people (38%) said that they would administer CPR while the majority (58%) would opt first to call the emergency services.

The survey also reveals that most people are put off by the idea of giving mouth-to-mouth. When asked if they would be more likely to carry out CPR if chest compression only was required, just over half (56%) say they would be more likely to try and resuscitate a casualty.

Another key finding was about the use of defibrillators. There is much confusion about when a defibrillator should be used: most respondents (56%) mistakenly thought that they should be used when someone had a heart attack; less than half (41%) knew that they are used on casualties who are unconscious and not breathing.

This year, First Aid Awareness Week (11-15th April) will focus on CPR; its aim is to raise awareness of major changes to resuscitation protocols and also to highlight the fact that you no longer need training to use a defibrillator.

Clive James, Training Development Manager at St. John Ambulance says: “These findings reveal a nationwide lack of knowledge and confidence towards CPR which we aim to address during First Aid Awareness Week. The survey has highlighted a need to raise awareness of important guideline changes such as the fact that anyone can now use a defibrillator. We want to encourage all members of the public to try CPR in an emergency situation, as 'having a go' is better than doing nothing and could help save a life.”

Other key findings are:

Most people don't know when to use a defibrillator

The purpose and use of automated devices such as defibrillators are very unclear. The majority of respondents (58%) don't know when you should use a defibrillator; only 41% knew that they are used on casualties who are unconscious and not breathing. Alarmingly, most respondents (56%) mistakenly thought that they should be used when someone had a heart attack, showing an urgent need to raise awareness of this emergency scenario.

Majority unaware that ANYONE can now use a defibrillator

Two in three people (65%) believe that training is required before they can use a defibrillator; this is not the case as units are increasingly available in public places and have simple, step by step instructions. This is not widely appreciated. Even after being told about the availability and ease of use, only 38% felt confident to use an AED (defibrillator). Most people said that they would not know how to use one, or would lack the experience to do so, or would be nervous of causing more damage than good.

Men far more confident than women about using an AED

Men were far more confident about using an AED (defibrillator), once the availability of instructions was pointed out, whereas women seem very reluctant to do so (53% v 29%). This gender difference is not simply explained by previous CPR training; it seems that men are more ready to dive in and 'be the hero', and assume that they will be able to understand such instructions. Far more women than men (37% v 22%) still felt they 'would not know how to' use an AED, even with the step by step instructions available.

Majority put off by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

Many people are put off by the idea of month-to-mouth resuscitation. If chest compression only was required, more than half (56%) say they would be more likely to try and resuscitate a casualty. Women are more likely than men (60% v 47%) to say that this would encourage them to administer resuscitation, and older adults are far more likely than those in their 20s to be encouraged by this change in protocol.

Prior knowledge from First Aid Manual is invaluable

Having advanced information about the use of a defibrillator from a First Aid Manual or other source significantly increases confidence levels. Almost 8 in 10 said this would be the result, including those with previous CPR training.

First Aid courses are as popular as ever

Nearly two in three people (65%) have completed a First Aid course at some point – although for older respondents this may of course have been many years previously. Somewhat more men have attended a course than women (68% v 63%). Those aged under 45 were in fact somewhat more likely to have completed a course than older respondents.

Majority of UK residents don't own a First Aid manual

Despite the fact that the majority of people (57%) don't own a First Aid manual, seven out of ten people claim that they would feel more confident in treating a number of conditions if they could refer to a First Aid Manual.

Fully revised and including accessible information about the changes to CPR and resuscitation protocols, The First Aid Manual is still the only guide to be written and fully authorised by the UK's leading first aid providers – St John Ambulance, St. Andrew's First Aid and the British Red Cross.

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