Italy study finds less than half would intervene in cardiac arrest, citing psychological barriers

Research presented by the Italian Resuscitation Council (IRC) shows that only 48% of Italians would step in to help during an out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest. Among those willing to act, 52% fear significant psychological distress after the intervention, highlighting the need for emotional‑support components in training.

Technical knowledge is also limited: just 13% of respondents claim a solid grasp of CPR procedures, 41% have only a vague understanding, and 46% admit they know nothing at all. Use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) occurs in merely 28% of cases, while by‑stander intervention overall happens in 58% of incidents, resulting in an average survival rate of only 8%. The study urges integration of psychological support into first‑aid education to boost both confidence and effectiveness of potential rescuers.

The findings suggest that improving structured information, increasing public awareness of nearby AED locations, and addressing emotional barriers could dramatically increase survival chances for cardiac arrest victims in Italy.