Can virtual reality teach CPR to a life-saving level?

Research has suggested that almost 60% of the 20,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases in Australia do not receive by­stander CPR despite the intervention more than doubling (the admittedly low) survival rates.

So virtual reality training has been touted as a ­possible solution to equipping more people with the skills because it is convenient and accessible for smartphone users.

But can it rival traditional hands-on training when it comes to CPR quality?

Dutch researchers have put one particular smartphone app called