Effectiveness of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation performed by young adolescents on a mannequin

Am J Emerg Med. 2005 Jan;23(1):51-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2004.09.022.

Abstract

Bystanders are reluctant to perform basic life support (BLS) because of fear of failure and of infection, especially with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (MTM). A possibility to enhance willingness could be the giving of MTM or BLS instructions at a very early age to the potential rescuers. The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of MTM with respect to ventilation and the time needed for performing 5 ventilations. In this study, MTM was performed on a mannequin by 57 children and adolescents aged 10 and 14 years. This study showed that 14-year-olds effectively perform MTM, reaching the recommended tidal volumes. Ten-year-old children have already developed sufficient motor skills for MTM with no significant time differences compared with the 14-year-olds. However, physical demands may be rather high at this age. Further long-term studies are needed to investigate clinical benefits of early teaching of MTM or BLS that may lead to international guidelines with low age limits.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Age Factors
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / methods*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Manikins*
  • Sex Factors
  • Task Performance and Analysis*
  • Tidal Volume / physiology