The state of Ohio has required that students receive instruction in how to perform CPR at some point during their high school career. This is incredible! More and more states are beginning to require CPR training before high school graduation. For good reason, people may need it anywhere at any time.
1. CPR Saves Lives
It’s no secret here. CPR works. It is a necessary skill for people to learn to save a life. The last thing we want is to go into cardiac arrest with nobody around to assist. Survival rate goes down 7%-10% for every minute CPR is not administered.
2. Emergencies Happen in Schools
My classroom has an AED in my cabinet. It is labeled clearly, and all of my students know where it is. It has pediatric and adult pads. Why? Emergencies know no age. Anyone can experience a cardiac event. It isn’t just an “old person” issue.
3. It Builds Confidence and Leadership
Learning CPR is more than just smacking a chest and breathing into a mouth. It is a learned skill that takes determination, strength, and practice. Students need to keep a level head and be confident in their competence.
4. It Creates a Generation of Lifesavers
Imagine if every graduating class left school with CPR certification. The overall lifesaving knowledge of a community grows exponentially!
5. It’s Practical and Affordable
Unlike many skills that require months of training, CPR can be taught in a single class period. Certification lasts for two years. These students enter the workforce knowing how to save a life, a skill employers love!
Final Word
CPR is one of the easiest, most practical skills a school can give its students. It’s quick to teach, affordable to implement, and it truly saves lives. Every student should graduate with the ability to act in an emergency—not just with knowledge in their heads, but with life-saving skills in their hands.