Assessment of basic life support (BLS) knowledge and awareness among teachers in Al-Kharj City, Saudi Arabia

Background. Cardiac arrest (CA) is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs 70% of the time outside of a hospital environment. Aim: The study objects to assess the teachers in Al-Kharj city, Saudi Arabia, and to determine their current BLS knowledge and awareness and to assess their attitudes and willingness to participate in regular BLS training. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a total of 188 teachers in the region. Results. The study reveals a concerning 57.4% of respondents lack basic CPR understanding, underscoring a significant deficit in essential lifesaving skills. Receptively, the study shows a positive inclination among teachers, with 73.9% expressing intent to enroll in BLS courses in the future. Moreover, a compelling 91.5% assert that BLS should be integrated into the standard school curriculum, underlining a collective awareness of the imperative to incorporate these life-saving skills systematically into mainstream education. Conclusions. The findings highlight a critical need for targeted educational interventions to bridge the knowledge gap and enhance BLS awareness regularly among teachers. The identified knowledge gaps, coupled with positive attitudes towards CPR education, present an opportune moment for strategic interventions