High school education in cardiopulmonary resuscitation evaluation of a four and five day course and instructor/student ratios

This is a quasi experimental study, evaluating the teaching methods of a CPR training program conducted in a rural high school on 161 students. Students were divided into three experimental groups, varying the days and instructor/student ratios in order to determine the most effective teaching methods.Two hypotheses were generated to be tested through use of instruments developed by the American Red Cross. The first hypothesis was supported--lengthening instruction time does improve performance levels in basic life support. The second hypothesis was rejected--increasing instructor ratio per student groups does not improve performance levels in basic life support. In addition, the number of days over which the course was taught was a more influential variable than instructor/student ratios.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306