Introduction: Since basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients who are afflicted by out-of-hospital cardiac arrest reduce mortality of these individuals significantly, and due to the low level of awareness and performance of laypersons regarding CPR, this study aimed to assess the effect of CPR education through compound method on knowledge and performance of entourages of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study with pre and posttest design was conducted on 48 entourages of patients admitted to Ahvaz Imam Hospital with cardiovascular diseases during 2014. Data was collected with a researcher-made questionnaire which was completed during the first 72 hours after admission to cardiac care unit and two weeks after education. Subjects were educated during three sessions (each session was 60 minutes) in three days through lecture, manikin and work in small groups. Data were analyzed through descriptive (percentage, number, mean and standard deviation) and analytical (independent t-test and Chi-square) methods with SPSS 16 software.

Results: Means and standard deviations of awareness scores before and after the education were 5.98 ± 3.04 and 11.29 ± 3.43, respectively, and means and standard deviations of performance scores were 10.81 ± 1.92 and 19.41 ± 4.41 before and after the education, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between awareness and performance scores before and after the education (P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions: Based on our results that showed compound education could be effective on awareness and performance of entourages of patients with cardiovascular diseases, this educational method is suggested.