Abstract:

The issue of first aid is a very comprehensive topic, which is why we focused exclusively on first aid for cardiac arrest and foreign-body airway obstruction, which may ultimately lead to cardiopulmonary resuscitation itself. In Slovakia, 2,869 cardiopulmonary resuscitations (CPR) were performed in 2020, with 98% occurring outside the medical facility. According to American Heart Association statistics, 350,000 people in the United States experience cardiac arrest outside a medical facility every year. But only in 46% of cases is cardiopulmonary resuscitation initiated by witnesses of the accident. The teaching of first aid is compulsory by law in Slovakia in primary and secondary schools. At present, first aid does not exist as a separate subject in secondary schools, but it is taught through the compulsory curriculum "Protection of Life and Health ". The subject matter is a part of individual subjects as well as separate forms of teaching, which include purposeful exercises and a " Protection of Life and Health Course". The aim of the survey was to determine the level of knowledge of high school students in providing first aid, specifically in the field of CPR and foreign-body airway obstruction. Data were obtained by a quantitative research method using a non-standardized questionnaire. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 298 students in the last years of 2 secondary vocational schools and 2 grammar schools. Based on the survey, we conclude that the level of knowledge of students has not always been sufficient. On the positive side, most students have the right ratio of chest compression and rescue breathing. On the negative side, not even half of the students master the correct place of compression, the depth, or the frequency of chest compressions. The research results point out the areas in which secondary school students do not have sufficient knowledge and which it is appropriate to focus on as part of the teaching in secondary schools. We can state that teaching certainly has a positive impact on students' level of knowledge in the field of first aid and it is desirable to continue it. We believe that based on our research, some students have realized their shortcomings in the knowledge of life-saving CPR and will deepen their knowledge of this topic. We recommend making first aid teaching in secondary schools more attractive with the use of various interactive methods, mannequins, audiovisual technology, the involvement of voluntary organizations dedicated to the education of various groups of people in the field of first aid, such as The Slovak Red Cross, or by inviting people directly from practice, e.g. professional rescuers. To place the same emphasis on theoretical and practical teaching, to allow each individual to verify their knowledge and skills of first aid in real situations or in real life.

Keywords:

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, choking, secondary school students, knowledge, guidelines.