Automated external defibrillation training on the left or the right side – a randomized simulation study

Figures & data

Figure 1 Rescuer sitting on the left and right sides of a manikin.

Note: Sitting on the left (A and B) side of the manikin may provide easier access to the left lateral side of the patient and result in correct AED electrode placement when compared to sitting on the right (C and D) side.
Abbreviation: AED, automated external defibrillator.

Figure 2 Study flowchart.

Note: ^aBy mistake no photograph of electrode attachment was recorded before removal of electrodes.
Abbreviation: AED, automated external defibrillator.

Table 1 Participant characteristics

Characteristics	Left trained	Right trained	p-value
Participants, n	19	20
Age (years)	47.3 (9.6)^a	48.7 (9.3)	0.66
Gender, female	12 (63%)	15 (75%)	0.50
Education
State school	0 (0%)	2 (10%)	0.49
High school	1 (5%)	0 (0%)	1.00
Vocational school	2 (11%)	2 (10%)	1.00
Short-term further education (<2 years)	3 (16%)	1 (5%)	0.61
Medium to long-term further education (2—4 years)	8 (42%)	13 (65%)	0.20
Long-term further education (>4 years)	5 (26%)	2 (10%)	0.41
Health professional	0 (0%)	1 (5%)	1.00
BLS training within previous year	0 (0%)	2 (10%)	0.49
Time since last BLS training (years)	17.0 (9.6)	15.6 (11.9)	0.79
Never had BLS training	11 (58%)^a	4 (20%)	0.02
Ever used an AED in an emergency	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	1.00

Notes: Data are expressed as mean (SD) or n (%); ^adata missing for one participant.

Abbreviations: AED, automated external defibrillator; BLS, basic life support.

Figure 3 Placement of AED electrodes.

Notes: Participants applying the AED electrodes from the same side as trained on. Circles represent participants trained on the left side of the manikin and squares represent participants trained on the right side of the manikin. The coordinate (0,0) represents the manikinߣs jugular notch.
Abbreviation: AED, automated external defibrillator.

Figure 4 Distance from recommended position.

Notes: (A) Left AED electrode. Distance (mean [SD]) trained left 5.9 (2.1) cm, trained right 6.9 (2.2) cm. (B) Right AED electrode. Distance (mean [SD]) trained left 2.6 (1.5) cm, trained right 1.8 (0.8) cm. Lines represent the mean distance (cm) and SD.
Abbreviation: AED, automated external defibrillator.

Table 2 Within-group comparison

Trained on left side (n= 19)	Applying left side	Applying right side	Diff	95% CI	p-value
Distance, left AED electrode (cm)	5.9 (2.1)	5.4 (2.1)	-0.5	-2.0 to 1.0	0.51
Distance, right AED electrode (cm)	2.6 (1.5)	2.3 (1.7)	-0.3	-1.4 to 0.9	0.65
Placement <5 cm, left AED electrode	7 (37%)	8 (42%)			1.00
Placement <5 cm, right AED electrode	17 (89%)	18 (95%)			1.00
Trained on right side (n=20)	Applying left side	Applying right side	Diff	95% CI	p-value
Distance, left AED electrode (cm)	6.6 (2.8)	6.9 (2.2)	-0.3	-2.3 to 1.8	0.80
Distance, right AED electrode (cm)	2.2 (1.1)	1.8 (0.8)	0.4	-0.4 to 1.1	0.36
Placement <5 cm, left AED electrode	7 (35%)	5 (25%)			0.62
Placement <5 cm, right AED electrode	20 (100%)	20 (100%)			1.00

Notes: Distance from center of AED electrode to recommended position and number of AED electrode placements within 5 cm of recommended position. Data reported as mean (SD) or n (%).

Abbreviations: AED, automated external defibrillator; Diff, difference.