Background: Basic life support (BLS) is a life-saving link in the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest chain of survival. Most members of the public are capable of providing BLS but are more likely to do so confidently and effectively if they undertake BLS training. Lay members of the public comprise diverse and specific populations and may benefit from tailored BLS training. Data on this topic are scarce, and it is completely unknown if there are any benefits arising from tailored courses or for whom course adaptations should be developed. Methods: The primary objective of this scoping review was to identify and describe differences in patient, clinical, and educational outcomes when comparing tailored versus standard BLS courses for specific layperson populations. This review was undertaken as part of the continuous evidence evaluation process of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. Results: A primary search identified 1307 studies and after title, abstract, and full-text screening, we included eight publications reporting on tailored courses for specific populations. There were no studies reporting direct comparisons between tailored and standardized training. Seven (88%) studies investigated courses tailored for individuals with a disability, and only one study covered another specific population group (refugees). Overall, the quality of evidence was low as the studies did not compare tailored vs. non-tailored approaches or consisted of observational or pre–post-designed investigations. Conclusions: Tailored BLS education for specific populations is likely feasible and can include such groups into the pool of potential bystander resuscitation providers. Research into comparing tailored vs. standard courses, their cost-to-benefit ratio, how to best adapt courses, and how to involve members of the respective communities should be conducted. Additionally, tailored courses for first responders with and without a duty to respond could be explored.

Outcome prediction during and after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) poses major challenges for prehospital and in-hospital emergency services. Regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO₂) measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), an emerging technology in emergency medicine, could contribute to prediction approaches. This systematic review evaluated associations between NIRS values during both cardiac arrest (CA) and postresuscitation care and clinical outcomes in nontraumatic adult CA patients. We searched Embase, MEDLINE(R), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science. Data on study design, population characteristics, and different cerebral oximetry levels in each outcome group were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality In Prognosis Studies tool, and a meta-analysis was conducted in groups with at least three studies reporting for the same outcome. The search strategy identified 2055 records, and 48 studies with rSO₂ measurements in 3880 patients during or after a cardiopulmonary resuscitation were included for data extraction. In total, we performed 10 different meta-analyses, with four evaluating rSO₂ values during CA and six assessing rSO₂ during postresuscitation care. Overall, delta rSO₂ values during CA had the highest predictive power of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (standardised mean difference = 1.61, 95% confidence interval = 0.57-2.66; p = 0.002). After ROSC, higher rSO₂ values are associated with favourable neurological outcome (standardised mean difference = 0.38, 95% confidence interval = 0.12-0.65; p = 0.004). Higher rSO₂ values during CA are consistently associated with increased rates of ROSC, with delta rSO₂ values having the highest predictive power. However, from a practical point of view, retrospectively calculating delta values poses a significant limitation which could be overcome by rather using real-time trends. Also, the implementation of NIRS in postresuscitation care could be an additional component of early multimodal prognostication after CA as we showed that higher initial rSO₂ values after ROSC are associated with a favourable neurological outcome.