European journal of anaesthesiology
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Fast delivery of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation is crucial in improving patient outcome after out of hospital cardiac arrest. First responders (trained laypersons) are dispatched to shorten time to basic life support and can be organised in groups or individually. ⋯ Team spirit and peer-support engages group first responders, whereas individual first responders are impaired by lack of social support. Involvement with society triggers both first responder types to become and stay first responders. As first responders in groups have substantial additional benefits, enhancing such groups might strengthen current first responder systems.