This study was designed to investigate whether an audiovisual feedback (AVF) device is beneficial for quality retention of chest compression (CC) after repetitive practices (RP).

After completion of a 45-min CC-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, participants performed 3 sessions of practices on days 1, 3, and 7 under the guidance of an instructor with (RP + AVF) or without (RP) the AVF device. CC quality was determined after each session and was retested at 3 and 12 months.

In total, ninety-seven third year university students participated in this study. CC quality was improved after 3 sessions in both the RP and RP + AVF groups. Retests at 3 months showed that the proportions of appropriate CC rate and correct hand position were significantly decreased in the RP group as compared with the last practice (p < 0.05). However, no significant changes in CC quality were observed in the RP + AVF group. However, the proportions of appropriate CC rate, depth, and complete recoil were significantly decreased after 12 months in both RP and RP + AVF groups (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in these parameters between the RP and the RP + AVF groups at 12 months after RP.

With RP, the use of an AVF device further improves initial CC skill acquisition and short-term quality retention. However, long-term quality retention is not statistically different between rescuers who receive verbal human feedback only and those who receive additional AVF device feedback after RP.