Volunteer responders’ experience of attending a paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Denmark: a qualitative study

Objective To explore the experiences of volunteer responders attending a paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (POHCAs) in Denmark. Design This qualitative study used the Reflective Lifeworld Research theoretical framework. Data were generated through nine in-depth, in-person or virtual semistructured interviews conducted with volunteer responders. Setting The study was conducted in Denmark. We recruited volunteer responders from all of Denmark enrolled in the nationwide volunteer responder programme. Participants Nine volunteer responders who were dispatched in response to a POHCA from 2020 to 2023 were included in the study. Results The experiences of attending a POHCA were categorised into three key themes: the mission, the situation and the aftermath. The mission refers to the altruistic drive of volunteer responders to contribute to life-saving efforts. The situation reflects the profound shock experienced when volunteer responders realise that the patient is a child, alongside their ability to act decisively and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the situation. The aftermath reveals the deep sense of fulfilment derived from being present and actively involved in attempting to save a child’s life, as well as the various emotions and reactions that the volunteer responders process after the event. Conclusion Attending a POHCA is a profoundly intense experience that can leave an emotional impact on the volunteer responders. On arriving at the location, despite the initial shock upon realising that the patient is a child, the volunteer responders engage in the resuscitation attempt and offer support to the child’s family. However, alerting the volunteer responders beforehand that the patient is a child may help mitigate the initial shock. Volunteer responders find significant meaning in their roles and express a strong commitment to saving lives, irrespective of the age of those in need.