Abstract
Purpose: The first responder's role during a cardiac arrest scene is to initiate CPR. The AHA has recognized and included the first responder's role for improving the survival rate of cardiac arrest patients. Health personnel working in nursing, emergency care, dental hygiene, radiology, and ocular optics frequently confront sudden cardiac arrest while working. This study was to identify the relationship between the educational experience and recognition with the level of knowledge about CPR for college students. Method: Five hundred forty college students enrolled in the department of nursing science, radiological technology, ocular optics, emergency medical technician, or dental hygiene in Daejeon city were surveyed. The tool used was CPR knowledge developed by the authors based on a literature review including 2005 AHA's CPR guideline. Result: The higher educational experience of CPR was, the higher the level of knowledge. The knowledge of the students in nursing or emergency medical technician was higher than students in dental hygiene, radiology, and ocular optics. Conclusion: CPR class should be included in the curriculum for college students in order to improve their accuracy as a first responder to cardiac arresting patients.
