Pediatric anesthesia & critical care
Activation of community first responders to pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Denmark
Authors' conclusion
CFR activation to pediatric OHCAs was associated with early resuscitative efforts. One-third reported moderate or severe immediate distress, particularly when arriving before EMS, performing CPR, or responding to younger children. The majority of the CFRs remained willing to remain in the system afterwards.
Study context
- Population
- Community first responders (CFRs) activated to pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) (ages 0–17) in Denmark, September 2017 to December 2023CFRs activated
- Participants
- 794 cfrs
- Outcome
- CFR involvement: interventions performed, self-reported immediate distress, and need for follow-up care
Methodological detailsdescriptive and exploratory analyses, national registry
- Descriptive and exploratory analyses
- National registry
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
CFR involvement at scene
- CFRs arrived at the scene
- 157
- Arrived before EMS
- 85/157 (54%)
- Performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- 47/157 (30%)
- Provided support to relatives
- 44/157 (28%)
- Moderate or severe self-reported immediate distress
- 53/157 (34%)
- Remained willing to continue volunteering
- 155/157, 99%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Moderate or severe immediate distress (subgroups)
- Among CFRs arriving before EMS
- 44/85, 52%
- Among CFRs performing CPR
- 30/47, 64%
- In cases of children <4 years
- 35/77, 45%
Original publication
Activation of community first responders to pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Denmark. Resuscitation. Published 25 May 2026. doi:10.
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