Aim Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) plays an important role in improving survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest patients. Various measures can be implemented to achieve better outcome in bystander CPR. We aimed to compare CPR willingness, public CPR recognition, and CPR education between a 5 year interval. Nationwide and regional public interventions involving public education, research, and automated defibrillator (AED) installation were made during the period.

Methods Two surveys separated with a 5 year gap were done using structured questionnaires, targeting a total of 2141 citizens in a single metropolitan city. Respondents’ general demographic characteristics, CPR knowledge and willingness, and status of CPR education were questioned.

Results After the interventions, the rate of respondents willing to perform CPR (73.8 vs 76.0%, p=0.269) and recognising CPR (89.6% vs 90.8%, p=0.343) were increased, but not with statistical significance. More respondents were aware of AEDs (26.1% vs 84.4%, p<0.001) and specific knowledge in performing CPR (1.6% vs 11.8%, p<0.001), possibly leading to more confidence in performing CPR (33.9% vs 45.4%, p<0.001). Regarding CPR education, the portion of respondents with education experience (36.5% vs 56.6%, p<0.001) and willing to seek future CPR education (75.8% vs 86.6%, p<0.001) were higher.

Conclusion Various interventions to promote bystander CPR were associated with confidence in performing bystander CPR, AED recognition and CPR education. However, bystander CPR willingness and public CPR recognition were not significantly altered.

Conflict of interest None declared.

Funding None declared.