Effectiveness of a video-based refresher on cardiopulmonary resuscitation skill retention in college students: A single-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills decline within months after training, particularly among lay college students. We evaluated whether a brief video-based refresher improves 6-month CPR skill retention. METHODS: We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled trial among 2 nd -year college students in Seoul, South Korea, who had completed Basic Life Support (BLS). Participants were randomized to an experimental group ( n = 33) that received a 2-min video refresher at 3 months or to a control group ( n = 30) with no refresher. CPR competencies – cardiac arrest recognition, emergency medical system (EMS) activation, chest compressions, and automated external defibrillator (AED) use – were assessed immediately after training and at 6 months using a standardized checklist. RESULTS: At 6 months, the experimental group showed significantly better retention for cardiac arrest recognition ( P = 0.003), EMS activation ( P = 0.003), and chest compression performance ( P = 0.020) than the control group. AED use did not differ significantly between groups ( P = 0.235). CONCLUSION: A brief video refresher delivered 3 months after BLS significantly enhances 6-month retention of key CPR skills in college students. This low-cost, scalable strategy may help maintain CPR competence where repeated hands-on training is hard to provide.