Resuscitation training with school children – Analysis of factors affecting chest compression quality

Background Early bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves survival after sudden cardiac arrest, but bystander CPR rates remain low. International guidelines therefore recommend CPR training during childhood. This study evaluated CPR performance in children aged 8–13 years and assessed determinants of chest compression quality. Methods In this observational cross-sectional study (2019–2022), 784 schoolchildren aged 8–13 years completed a standardized 90-min CPR training session. Anthropometric data and CPR quality parameters were recorded using Resusci Anne QCPR Torso manikins (Laerdal Medical AS, Starvanger, Norway) and SimPad Plus SkillReporter systems (Laerdal Medical AS, Starvanger, Norway). Associations were analyzed using multivariate statistics. Results A total of 784 children (mean age 11 ± 1 years) were included. Two minutes of chest compressions were completed by 93% of children. Mean compression depth was 40.0 ± 9.9 mm and correlated with weight ( r = 0.663), height ( r = 0.623), and age ( r = 0,544; all p < .001). In multivariable analysis, these factors explained 50% of variance (R 2 = 0.50, p < .001). Mean compression rate (115 ± 8/min) was higher in younger children and became more consistent with increasing age (ß = −0.119, p = .02). Correct hand positioning was achieved almost universally (median 100%). Conclusion A tailored and focused CPR training is feasible and effective in children aged 8–13 years but higher body weight improves compression depth, older age improves compression, while correct hand position is largely independent of these variables.