Out-of-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the
Western world. Early assistance with quality Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use
of a defibrillator may increase the percentage of survival after this process. The objective of this
study was to evaluate the effect of CPR training and the management of an Automatic External
Defibrillator (AED). A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study was carried out among
students in the first year of a Nursing and Physiotherapy degree of the University of León. To achieve
this goal, a theoretical-practical educational intervention of four hours’ duration which included
training on CPR, AED and Basic Life Support (BLS) was carried out. A total of 112 students were
included. The results showed an increase in theoretical knowledge on BLS as well as on CPR and
AED, and practical skills in CPR and AED management. A theoretical exposition of fifteen minutes
and the practical training of CPR wasenough for the students to acquire the necessary theoretical
knowledge, although the participants failed to reach quality criteria in CPR. Only 35.6% of students
reached the right depth in compressions. Also, ventilation was not performed properly. Based on
the results, we cannot determine that the percentage of overall quality of CPR was appropriate,
since 57.6% was obtained in this respect and experts establish a value higher than 70% for quality
CPR. There was a clear relationship between sex, weight, height and body max index (BMI), and
quality CPR performance, being determinant variables to achieve quality parameters. Currently,
Basic Life Support training in most universities is based on training methods similar to those used in
the action described. The results obtained suggest implementing other training methods that favour
the acquisition of quality CPR skills.