Training workers in basic life support

Introduction: Training citizens to help victims in life-threatening situations is fundamental in any society. Objective: to evaluate the knowledge on Basic Life Support by workers in a Municipal Council of the north of Portugal, before and after implementing the intervention program "Train to Save" and assess the skills shown after participating in the intervention program. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental longitudinal study, using a questionnaire, which comprised two parts (sociodemographic characterization and evaluation of knowledge) and a skills-assessment grid. In the first moment. knowledge on Basic Life Support was evaluated and an intervention program was implemented; the second moment evaluated the knowledge and skills on Basic Life Support. Results: The study had the participation of 97 workers. The results revealed that the workers had insufficient knowledge and skills in Basic Life Support. Discussion and Conclusions: Statistically significant differences were verified of knowledge and skills in Basic Life Support. Implications for the practice: implementation of strategies that promote training in Basic Life Support for all citizens at knowledge transmission level and in practical formation.