Introduction: An important factor for survival of a patient with sudden cardiac arrest is defibrillation as quickly as possible. Automated external defibrillators are designed to be used by anyone. In the local community of Ljubljana Center, we detected 4 different models of this device among 68 publicly available automated external defibrillators. This means that in case of performing resuscitation, an untrained person will likely have to operate an unfamiliar automated external defibrillators model, which they have not practiced with during basic life support training. Purpose: To determine how prior knowledge of the AED model affects the time to the first defibrillation and the emotions experienced by laypersons when using an unfamiliar automated external defibrillators model. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. In the quantitative part, on the example of a simulated cardiac arrest, we measured the handling time with a automatic external defibrillator (control), which the participant had previously practiced and was familiar with, and the handling time with two different unknown (experimental) models of automatic external defibrillators. We compared the average handling times of a control automatic external defibrillator with two experimental ones. Using semi-structured interviews, we determined the feelings experienced by the participants of the experiment while using an unknown model of automatic external defibrillator. Results: In the study, 123 individuals participated. Users took an average of 30 (±12) seconds to operate a familiar automatic external defibrillator, while for an unfamiliar one, they took 37 (±14) seconds, to the first defibrilation which was statistically significantly (p = 0,000) longer. The familiar automatic external defibrillator was activated for 4 seconds fester (p = 0,000) and electrodes were placed for 5 seconds faster (p = 0,000) than no-familiar automatic external defibrillator. Participants experienced more discomfort when using an unfamiliar automatic external defibrillator compared to a familiar model. Various technical characteristics of the unfamiliar automatic external defibrillator were cited as obstacles in working with an unfamiliar educational automatic external defibrillator model, and prior training was mentioned as a helping factor. Discussion and conclusion: Handling an unfamiliar automatic external defibrillator model affects the time to the first defibrillation. Additionally, various technical characteristics of the automatic external defibrillator can also influence the time. Based on interviews, we find that prior knowledge of the automatic external defibrillator model and pre-existing knowledge contribute to increased self-confidence and reliability of the participants, even when using an unfamiliar automatic external defibrillator model. Training providers in basic life support content should ensure the availability of various automatic external defibrillator models for practice to better prepare potential first aid providers with higher quality practical training, should they need to perform resuscitation in a real-life scenario.
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