Publications

First aid

Peer-reviewed publications

• Stroobants S, Borra V, De Pril S, Laermans J, Van Remoortel H, Scheers H, Coppens E, De Buck E. Tailoring psychosocial first aid education to children and adolescents: Evidence-based guideline and didactic materials. International Journal of First Aid Education 2026, 9(1)
• Borra V, De Brier N, Berry DC, Zideman D, Singletary E, De Buck E. Oral rehydration beverages for treating exercise-associated dehydration: a systematic review. Part I: carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions. J Athl Train 2025, 60(1):34-54
• Djärv T, Douma MJ, Carlson JN, Singletary EM, [...], Laermans J, et al. First Aid: 2025 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Consensus on Science With Treatment Recommendations. Resuscitation 2025, 215(S2):110815
• Singletary EM, Laermans J, Pek JH, Cassan P, Meyran D, Berry D, Thikashila K, Djärv T. Preservation of traumatic completely amputated or avulsed body parts in the first aid setting: A scoping review. Cureus 2025, 17(4):e81998
• Laermans J, Singletary EM, Macneil F, Williamson F, D'aes T, Cimpoesu DC, Djärv T, De Buck E. Spinal motion restriction for possible traumatic cervical spine injury: A scoping review. Cureus 2025, 17(5):e84393
• Kendall I, Laermans J, D'aes T, Borra V, McCaul M, Aertgeerts B, De Buck E. First aid training for laypeople (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2025, Issue 8. Art. No.:CD015538
• De Brier N, Borra V, Berry DC, Zideman D, Singletary E, De Buck E. A systematic review on oral rehydration beverages for treating exercise-associated dehydration. Part II. The effectiveness of alternatives to carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks. J Athl Train 2025, 60(1):55-69
• Djärv T, Rogers J, Semeraro F, Brädde L, Cassan P, Cimpoesu D, van Goor S, Klaassen B, Laermans J, Meyran D, Singletary EM, Mellett-Smith A, Thilakasiri K, Zideman D. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2025 First Aid. Resuscitation 2025, 215(S1):110752
• Djärv T, Douma MJ, Carlson JN, Singletary EM, [...], Laermans J, et al. First Aid: 2025 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Consensus on Science With Treatment Recommendations. Circulation 2025, 152(16S1):S250-S282
• Criel Y, Severijns P, Scheers H, De Buck E. Basic swimming or water safety skills training for drowning prevention in children: an updated systematic review. Front Public Health 2025, 13:1698353
• Laermans J, Borra V, Brabants R, Cassan P, De Buck E. De vernieuwde eerstehulprichtlijnen van de Europese Reanimatieraad. Tijdschrift voor geneeskunde en gezondheidszorg 2025, 12(81):964-968
• Greif R, Bray JE, Djärv T, Drennan IR, Liley HG, Ng KC, Cheng A, Douma MJ, Scholefield BR, Smyth M, Weiner G, [...], Laermans J, et al. 2024 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces. Circulation 2024
• Greif R, Bray JE, Djärv T, Drennan IR, Liley HG, Ng KC, Cheng A, Douma MJ, Scholefield BR, Smyth M, Weiner G, [...], Laermans J, et al. 2024 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces. Resuscitation 2024
• De Buck E, Scheers H, Vandekerckhove P, Vermeulen D, Heidbuchel H, Heuten H. The impact of different recovery positions on the perfusion of the lower forearm and comfort: A cross-over randomized controlled trial. Resuscitaton Plus 2024
• D'aes T, Laermans J, De Buck E. Cochrane Corner: how effective are interventions for reducing symptoms and signs resulting from jellyfish stings? International Journal of First Aid Education 2024, 7(1)
• Avau B, Sommen J, Laermans J, Van Remoortel H, Vanhove A-C, Vandekerckhove P, De Buck E, Geduld H, Naidoo N. Development of an evidence-based first aid guideline for first responders in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of First Aid Education 2023, 6(1):23-34
• Kuupiel D, Jessani NS, Boffa J, Naude C, De Buck E, Vandekerckhove P, McCaul M. Prehospital clinical practice guidelines for unintentional injuries: a scoping review and prioritisation process. BMC Emergency Medicine 2023, 23(1):27
• Stroobants S, Dockx K, Scheers S, Borra V, De Brier N, Verlinden S, Lauwers K, Vandekerckhove P, De Buck E. Providing first aid to people experiencing mental health problems: Development of evidence-based guidance materials for laypeople. International Journal of First Aid Education 2023, 6(1):37-60
• Berg KM, Bray JE, Ng K-C, Liley HG, Greif R, Carlson JN, Morley PT, Drennan IR, Smyth M, Scholefield BR, Weiner GM, Cheng A, Djärv T, Abelairas-Goméz C, Acworth J, Andersen LW, Atkins DL, Berry DC, Bhanji F, Bierens J, Bittencourt Couto T, Borra V, et al. 2023 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Circulation 2023, 148(24):e187-e280
• Berg KM, Bray JE, Ng K-C, Liley HG, Greif R, Carlson JN, Morley PT, Drennan IR, Smyth M, Scholefield BR, Weiner GM, Cheng A, Djärv T, Abelairas-Goméz C, Acworth J, Andersen LW, Atkins DL, Berry DC, Bhanji F, Bierens J, Bittencourt Couto T, Borra V, et al. 2023 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Resuscitation 2023:109992
• Laermans J, Borra V, De Buck E. Cochrane Corner: How accurate are prehospital stroke scales at identifying people with stroke or transient ischemic attack?. International Journal of First Aid Education 2022, 5(1):4-7
• Van Remoortel H, Scheers H, Lauwers K, Gillebeert J, Stroobants S, Vranckx P, De Buck E, Vandekerckhove P. Mass gathering events: a retrospective analysis of the triage categories, type of injury or medical complaint and medical usage rates. Emergency Medicine Journal 2022, 39(9):708-711
• Wyckoff MH, Singletary EM, Soar J, Olasveengen TM, Greif R, Liley HG, Zideman D, Bhanji F, Andersen LW, Avis SR, Aziz K, Bendall JC, Berry DC, Borra V, et al. 2021 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Circulation 2022, 145:e645-e721
• Avau B, Vanhove AC, Scheers H, Stroobants S, Lauwers K, Vandekerckhove P, De Buck E. Impact of the Use of Simulated Patients in Basic First Aid Training on Laypeople Knowledge, Skills, and Self-efficacy. A Controlled Experimental Study. ​​Simul Healthc 2022, 17(4):213-219
• Scheers H, Van Remoortel H, Lauwers K, Gillebeert J, Stroobants S, Vranckx P, De Buck E, Vandekerckhove P. Predicting medical usage rate at mass gathering events in Belgium: development and validation of a nonlinear multivariable regression model. ​BMC Public Health 2022, 22(1):173
• Kendall I, Borra V, Laermans J, McCaul M, Aertgeerts B, De Buck E. First aid training for laypeople (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2022, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD015538
• Wyckoff MH, Greif R, Morley PT, Ng KC, Olasveengen TM, Singletary EM, Soar J, Cheng A, Drennan IR, Liley HG, Scholefield BR, Smyth MA, Welsford M, Zideman DA, Acworth J, Aickin R, Andersen LW, Atkins D, Berry DC, Bhanji F, Bierens J, Borra V, et al. 2022 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Circulation 2022, 146(25):e483-e557
• Wyckoff MH, Greif R, Morley PT, Ng KC, Olasveengen TM, Singletary EM, Soar J, Cheng A, Drennan IR, Liley HG, Scholefield BR, Smyth MA, Welsford M, Zideman DA, Acworth J, Aickin R, Andersen LW, Atkins D, Berry DC, Bhanji F, Bierens J, Borra V, et al. 2022 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Resuscitation 2022, 181:208-288
• Laermans J, Vanhove A-C, Borra V, De Buck E. Cochrane Corner: Is continuous chest compression CPR by untrained bystanders more effective than conventional CPR with rescue breathing?. International Journal of First Aid Education 2021, 4(1):26-29
• Laermans J, Vanhove A-C, Borra V, De Buck E. Cochrane First Aid: the next step towards evidence-based first aid. International Journal of First Aid Education 2021, 4(1):23-25
• Wyckoff MH, Singletary EM, Soar J, Olasveengen TM, Greif R, Liley HG, Zideman D, Bhanji F, Andersen LW, Avis SR, Aziz K, Bendall JC, Berry DC, Borra V, et al. 2021 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Resuscitation 2021, 169:229-311
• De Buck E, Vanhove A-C, O D, Veys K, Lang E, Vandekerckhove P. Day care as a strategy for drowning prevention in children under 6 years of age in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2021, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD014955
• Zideman D, Singletary EM, Borra V, Cassan P, Cimpoesu CD, De Buck E, Djärv T, Handley AJ, Klaassen B, Meyran D, Oliver E, Poole K. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: First Aid. Resuscitation 2021;161:270-290
• De Brier N, Borra V, Dockx K, Scheers H, Stroobants S, De Buck E, Lauwers K, Vandekerckhove P. Best Available Evidence on Communicative First Aid Interventions by Laypeople for Preventing and Relieving Posttraumatic Stress Disorder–Related Symptomatology Following Traumatic Events. J Trauma Stress 2021, 34(3):538-550
• Avau B, Vanhove A-C, Borra V, Laermans J, Vandekerckhove P, De Buck E. Cochrane First Aid: Een globaal platform voor evidence-based eerste hulp. Tijdschrift voor geneeskunde 2020, 76(8-9):367-374
• Douma MJ, Aves T, Allan KS, Bendall JC, Berry DC, Chang W-T, Epstein J, Hood N, Singletary EM, Zideman D, Lin S, First Aid Task Force of ILCOR (Borra V, Carlson JN, Cassan P, Charlton NP, Markenson DS, Meyran D, Sakamoto T, Swain JM, Woodin JA). First Aid Cooling Techniques for Heat Stroke and Exertional Hyperthermia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Resuscitation 2020, 148:173-190
• De Brier N, O D, Borra V, Singletary EM, Zideman DA, De Buck E; International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation First Aid Task Force. Storage of an avulsed tooth prior to replantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Dent Traumatol 2020, 36(5):453-476
• Zideman D, Handley A, Djärv T, Singletary E, Cassan P, De Buck E, Klaassen B, Meyran D, Borra V, and Cimpoesu D. Erste Hilfe. Notf Rett Med 2020, 23(4): 268–269
• De Buck E, Laermans J, Vanhove A-C, Dockx K, Vandekerckhove P, Geduld H. An educational pathway and teaching materials for first aid training of children in sub-Saharan Africa based on the best available evidence. BMC Public Health 2020, 20(1):836
• Van Remoortel H, Scheers H, De Buck E, Haenen W, Vandekerckhove P. Prediction modelling studies for medical usage rates in mass gatherings: a systematic review. PLoS ONE 2020, 15(6): e023977
• Borra V, Berry DC, Zideman D, Singletary E, De Buck E. Compression wrapping for Acute Closed Extremity Joint Injuries: A Systematic Review. J Athl Train 2020, 55(8):789-800
• Singletary EM, Zideman DA, Bendall JC, Berry DC, Borra V, et al. 2020 International Consensus on First Aid Science With Treatment Recommendations. Circulation 2020, 142(suppl 1):S284–S334
• Singletary EM, Zideman D, Bendall JC, Berry D, Borra V, et al. 2020 International Consensus on First Aid Science With Treatment Recommendations. Resuscitation 2020, 156:A240-A282
• Meyran D, Cassan P, Avau B, Singletary E, Zideman DA. Stroke recognition for First Aid Provides: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus 2020, 12(11): e11386
• O D, Avau B, De Buck E, Issard D, Vandekerckhove P, Cassan P. Factors Associated with Helping Behavior When Witnessing an Accident: A Cross-sectional Survey. ​​​International Journal of First Aid Education 2020, 3(2):42-62
• Borra V, Avau B, De Paepe P, Vandekerckhove P, De Buck E. Is placing a victim in the left lateral decubitus position an effective first aid intervention for acute oral poisoning? A systematic review. Clinical toxicology 2019, 57(7):603-616
• De Buck E, Borra V, Carslon JN, Zideman DA, Singletary EM, Djärv T. First aid glucose administration routes for symptomatic hypoglycaemia (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD013283. 
• Dockx K, Avau B, De Buck E, Vranckx P, Vandekerckhove P. Physical manoeuvers as a preventive intervention to manage vasovagal syncope: A systematic review. PLoS ONE 2019, 14(2): e0212012
• De Buck E, Borra V, Carlson JN, Zideman DA, Singletary EM, Djärv T. First aid glucose administration routes for symptomatic hypoglycaemia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD013283.
• Avau B, Vanhove AC, Vandenlindenloof M, Suls L, Verstraeten H, Vandekerckhove P, De Buck E. Evaluating the Impact of Simulated Patients on Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes of Laypeople Following a Basic First Aid Course: Protocol for a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of First Aid Education 2019, 2(2):article 3
• Avau B, Vande veegaete A, Scheers H, Vandekerckhove P, De Buck E. Determining First Aid Knowledge and Skills Retention With Laypeople: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Nepal.  International Journal of First Aid Education 2019, 2(2):article 6
• Soar J, Maconochie I, Wyckoff MH, Olasveengen TM, Singletary EM, Greif R, Aickin R, Bhanji F, Donnino MW, Mancini ME, Wyllie JP, Zideman D, Andersen LW, Atkins DL, Aziz K, Bendall J, Berg KM, Berry DC, Bigham BL, Bingham R, Couto TB, Böttiger BW, Borra V, et al. 2019 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Resuscitation 2019, 145:95-150
• Soar J, Maconochie I, Wyckoff MH, Olasveengen TM, Singletary EM, Greif R, Aickin R, Bhanji F, Donnino MW, Mancini ME, Wyllie JP, Zideman D, Andersen LW, Atkins DL, Aziz K, Bendall J, Berg KM, Berry DC, Bigham BL, Bingham R, Couto TB, Böttiger BW, Borra V, et al. 2019 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; And First Aid Task Forces. Circulation 2019, 140(24):e826-e880
• Avau B, Borra V, Vanhove AC, Vandekerckhove P, De Paepe P, De Buck B. First aid interventions by laypeople for acute oral poisoning. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD013230. 
• Laermans J, Borra V, Van Remoortel H, Vande veegaete A, De Buck E, Vandekerckhove P. Help! Eerste hulp voor hulpverleners: eerstehulprichtlijn voor hulpverleners. Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde 2018, 74(4):233-239
• De Buck E, Borra V, Van Remoortel H, Laermans J, Vande veegaete A, Vandekerckhove P. Eerste hulp voor iedereen: eerstehulprichtlijn voor leken. Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde 2018, 74(1):15-29 
• De Buck E. BET 1: Does the use of emollients prevent frostbite to the face? Emerg Med J 2017, 34(11):763-764
• Huygelen V, Borra V, De Buck E, Vandekerckhove P. Effective methods for tick removal: a systematic review. J Evid Based Med. 2017, 10:177-188 
• Borra V, Van Remoortel H, Vande Veegaete A De Buck E, Vandekerckhove P. Development of Evidence-Based First Aid Guidelines for Laypeople in Flanders, Belgium. J Epidemiol Public Health Rev 2016, 1(4) 
• Gogaert S, Vande veegaete A, Scholliers A, Vandekerckhove P. "MedTRIS" (Medical Triage and Registration Informatics System): A Web-based Client Server System for the Registration of Patients Being Treated in First Aid Posts at Public Events and Mass Gatherings. Prehosp Disaster Med 2016, 31(5):557-62
• Avau B, Borra V, Vandekerckhove P, De Buck E. The Treatment of Snakebites in a First Aid Setting: A Systematic Review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016, 10(10): e0005079
• Zideman DA, De Buck ED, Singletary EM, Cassan P, Chalkias AF, Evans TR, Hafner CM, Handley AJ, Meyran D, Schunder-Tatzber S, Vandekerckhove PG. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2015 Section 9. First aid. Resuscitation 2015, 95:278-87
• Zideman DA, Singletary EM, De Buck ED, Chang WT, Jensen JL, Swain JM, Woodin JA, Blanchard IE, Herrington RA, Pellegrino JL, Hood NA, Lojero-Wheatley LF, Markenson DS, Yang HJ; First Aid Chapter Collaborators, Arnold LK, Bradley RN, Caracci BC, Carlson JN, Cassan P, Chalkias AF, Charlton NP, DeVoge JM, Dieltjens TA, Evans TR, Ferguson JD, Fringer RC, Hafner CM, Han KH, Handley AJ, Kitch BB, Koehler DN, Kule A, MacPherson AI, Meyran D, Nemeth MA, Patocka C, Pauwels NS, Reilly MJ, Rusk RC, Schunder-Tatzber S, Seitz SR, Shenefelt RM, Wang CH, Woo JH. Part 9: First aid: 2015 International Consensus on First Aid Science with Treatment Recommendations. Resuscitation 2015, 95:e225-61
• Singletary EM, Zideman DA, De Buck ED, Chang WT, Jensen JL, Swain JM, Woodin JA, Blanchard IE, Herrington RA, Pellegrino JL, Hood NA, Lojero-Wheatley LF, Markenson DS, Yang HJ; on behalf of the First Aid Chapter Collaborators. Part 9: First Aid: 2015 International Consensus on First Aid Science With Treatment Recommendations. Circulation 2015, 132(16 Suppl 1):S269-311
• De Buck E, Van Remoortel H, Geuvens H, Vande Veegaete A, Singhal M, Vandekerckhove P, Agarwal SP. Evidence-based first aid and prevention guidelines for lay people in India. Indian Journal of Community Health 2015, 27(2):176-190
• De Buck E, Van Remoortel H, Dieltjens T, Verstraeten H, Clarysse M, Moens O, Vandekerckhove P. Evidence-based educational pathway for the integration of first aid training in school curricula. Resuscitation 2015, 94:8-22
• Van Remoortel H, De Buck E, Singhal M, Vandekerckhove P, Agarwal SP. The effectiveness of insecticide-treated and untreated nets to prevent malaria in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Trop Med Int Health 2015, 20(8):972-982
• Zideman DA, Singletary EM, De Buck ED, Hood NA. Reply to letter: Letter in Response to: European Resuscitation Council’s guidelines for resuscitation 2015. Resuscitation 2015, 99:e15-6
• Dieltjens T, De Buck E, Verstraeten H, Adriaenssens L, Claryssea M, Moens O, Devreker A, Bastiaen M, Claessens C, Verhelst K. Evidence-based recommendations on automated external defibrillator training for children and young people in Flanders-Belgium. Resuscitation 2013, 84(10):1304-1309
• Van de Velde S, Roex A, Vangronsveld K, Niezink L, Van Praet K, Heselmans A, Donceel P, Vandekerckhove P, Ramaekers D, Aertgeerts B. Can training improve laypersons helping behaviour in first aid? A randomised controlled deception trial. Emerg Med J 2013, 30(4):292-297
• Dieltjens T, De Buck E. BET 1: Is heat application as good as pain killers in dysmenorrhoea? Emerg Med J 2012, 29(10):853-854
• Pauwels NS, De Buck E. BET 2: Leg-crossing to prevent syncope. Emerg Med J 2012, 29 (11): 931-933
• Pauwels NS, De Buck E. BET 1: Is Exercise-related transient abdominal pain (stitch) while running preventable? Emerg Med J 2012, 29 (11):930-931
• Van de Velde S, De Buck E, Vandekerckhove P, Volmink J. Evidence-based African first aid guidelines and training materials. PLoS Med 2011, 8(7):e1001059
• Van de Velde S, De Buck E, Dieltjens T, Aertgeerts B. Medicinal use of potato-derived products: conclusions of a rapid versus full systematic review. Phytother Res 2011, 25(5):787-788
• Van de Velde S, Heselmans A, Donceel P, Vandekerckhove P, Ramaekers D, Aertgeerts B. Rigour of development does not AGREE with recommendations in practice guidelines on the use of ice for acute ankle sprains. BMJ Qual Saf 2011, 20(9):747-755
• De Buck E, Van de Velde S. BET 1: Optimal body position in oral poisoning cases. Emerg Med J 2010, 27(12):952-3
• De Buck E, Van de Velde S. BET 2: Potato peel dressings for burn wounds. Emerg Med J 2010, 27(1):55-6
• Van de Velde S, Heselmans A, Roex A, Vandekerckhove P, Ramaekers D, Aertgeerts B. Effectiveness of nonresuscitative first aid training in laypersons: a systematic review. Ann Emerg Med 2009, 54(3):447-457
• Van de Velde S , Broos P, Van Bouwelen M, De Win R, Sermon A, Verduyckt J, Van Tichelen A, Lauwaert D, Vantroyen B, Tobback C, Van den Steene P, Villere S, Mieres CU, Göbl G, Schunder S, Monsieurs K, Bierens J, Cassan P, Davoli , Sabbe M, Lo G, De Vries M, Aertgeerts B; European First Aid Manual Project, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders. European first aid guidelines. Resuscitation 2007, 72(2):240-251