Missed Training, Collateral Damage from COVID 19?

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a total lockdown was enforced all over Italy starting on March 9, 2020. This resulted in the shrinking of economic activities. In addition, all formal occupational security-training courses were halted, among them the 81/08 law lectures and Basic Life Support-Defibrillation (BLS-D) laypersons training courses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on BLS-D laypersons training courses in the Lombardy region. Methods: BLS-D training courses records for the Lombardy region were analyzed. The analysis was conducted from 2016 to 2020 as part of the Hippo project. Results: In the period between 2017 and 2019, BLS-D trained laypersons kept increasing, moving from 53500 trained individuals up to 74700. In 2020, a stark reduction was observed with only 22160 individuals trained. Formal courses were not halted completely during 2020. Still, in the months available for training, the number of individuals enrolled showed a sharp 50% reduction. Conclusions: Laypersons training courses for emergency management are a fundamental component of primary prevention practice. The 81/08 and 158/12 Italian laws have decreed this practice mandatory in the workplace. Following the enforcement of the lockdown and the subsequent interruption of emergency management courses, efforts will be necessary to re-establish and guarantee the high quality training of the pre-pandemic period.