Frequency and quality of first aid offered by older adolescents: a cluster randomised crossover trial of school-based first aid courses

Abstract

Background: Research indicates that school-based first aid programmes appear to improve students' knowledge and skills. However, evidence for their effectiveness is limited by a lack of rigorously designed studies. This research used a cluster randomised crossover trial to assess the effects of two different types of first aid training on the frequency and appropriateness of older adolescents' first aid behaviours towards their peers 12 months after training. Methods: Schools eligible to participate were government funded and able to accommodate first aid training and survey time for two consecutive Year 10 student cohorts. Four Australian public schools were matched in two pairs and randoml..