Why CPR Training is Being Added to High School Curriculums

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a Basic Life Support (BLS) technique used to revive a victim whose heart stops beating suddenly. CPR training is usually recommended for healthcare providers and first responders. However, it can also benefit high school students who can learn how to save lives. Training in life-saving CPR techniques empowers these students to participate actively in their communities and become responsible citizens. It teaches them how to help others by leveraging innovative techniques to save lives. Let’s learn more about the importance of adding CPR training to high school curriculums.

How CPR Training Empowers High School Students

Cardiac arrest is responsible for over 5% to 10% of fatalities among children aged 5–19 years. Therefore, schools must introduce several strategies to prevent poor outcomes post cardiac arrest among children.

CPR training is one such technique that teaches high school students to respond to different types of medical emergencies and save the lives of victims in the following ways:

Enhancing Critical Thinking and Teamwork

CPR and first aid training help high school students to develop problem-solving,  critical thinking, and teamwork skills. This specifically applies when several people perform chest compressions on the same person. School students can easily embark on their favorite career path by learning these life-saving skills. CPR is usually added to the high school curriculum so that the students can learn it online or offline without worrying much about missing classes.

Raising Awareness About Heart Health

CPR classes or training also help students learn more about the importance of heart health. They can easily learn about the heart’s anatomy and how to recognize the signs of a heart attack by learning about CPR. High school students also find it easier to make healthier choices and be more aware of their heart health with this extended knowledge.

Reasons to Include CPR Training in High School Curriculum

As per a study, 15% of the population in the United States should be trained in CPR for an increase in survival rates after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, this cannot be achieved with voluntary training for the lay population alone. Therefore, mandatory training of high school children would be a key measure to train more people and improve survival rates. Here are the primary reasons to include CPR training in the high school curriculum:

Develop Key Life-Saving Skills

Most bystanders perform CPR on victims of cardiac arrest or other conditions outside hospitals Every year. This helps significantly boost the survival rates of several victims. High school administrators must offer CPR training as a part of the curriculum for all students to acquire these skills. This will prepare them for emergencies at home, school, or anywhere in their communities.

Build Confidence and Preparedness

CPR training boosts the confidence and readiness of high school students to tackle crises. These skills can be easily added to the curriculum to empower students beyond physical abilities. It also promotes their mental resilience and decisiveness in high-pressure situations. CPR education also prepares students for several real-world scenarios by instilling confidence that often extends into their personal lives.

Integrate Practically Into Health Education

Most high schools optimize health and science education with practical applications of theoretical knowledge by incorporating CPR training. Students can easily deepen their understanding of human physiology and biology by taking such lessons. CPR training also sparks their interest in healthcare careers and guides everyone toward professions in medicine, nursing, or emergency services.

Logistics for On-Site Training

High school administrators can easily provide on-site CPR training by collaborating with some trusted CPR educators to make participation more convenient and accessible for students. Administrators can also deliver high-quality instructions and integrate training into health workshops or classes by removing barriers and creating a more conducive learning environment.

Create Lifelong Skills

CPR training provides enduring skills to high school students that prove beneficial beyond the classroom. These competencies have value in professional and personal contexts, which helps all students become well-rounded individuals. Hence, educators support the life-long success of students by implementing CPR training into the curriculum.

Engage Parents and Community

High school administrators can also involve parents or guardians in CPR training initiatives by introducing the topic in the student’s curriculum. This further helps strengthen partnerships between schools and families. It involves hosting some family-oriented CPR sessions to promote skills acquisition in the broader community and emphasize the importance of CPR to promote collective emergency readiness.

Overcome Implementation Challenges

High school administrators implement CPR training in several ways. Funding opportunities exist through partnerships or grants with local organizations. Hence, students can advocate for policy support to facilitate such integrations. It also means CPR training can occur without financial strain after overcoming all obstacles.

Educators must connect with local healthcare organizations and certified training providers to implement CPR training for high school students. They can easily learn lifesaving skills and ensure proper certification and hands-on practice.

Support College and Career Readiness

CPR training equips high school students with valuable certifications that can enhance their college applications and career prospects. Many universities and workplaces value CPR-certified individuals in healthcare, education, and public service sectors. Similarly, high schools help students gain an advantage in their future academic and professional journeys by incorporating CPR training into the curriculum.

Improve Emergency Response in Schools

Students with CPR training ensure that their respective high schools have more individuals prepared to respond to medical emergencies. Trained students can provide immediate assistance before medical professionals arrive, especially in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest or choking incident on campus. This helps them save lives and improve school safety in the long run.

States Mandating CPR Training in Schools

As of 2022, more than 40 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have implemented laws requiring CPR training for high school students before graduation.

Students can easily learn valuable lifesaving skills to help make the community safer. The details of these CPR training requirements often differ from state to state.

CPR Education Policies Vary by State

Though numerous states mandate hands-on CPR training for high school students, the level and character of training may vary. As an example, California only requires CPR training for students who take health classes, so not every student is exposed to this training.

In contrast, other states make more comprehensive demands whereby all students are given thorough CPR training prior to graduation. Schools are bound to obey their state's individual guidelines when establishing these programs.

High Schools Partnering with Healthcare Organizations

As a way to ensure that quality CPR instruction is offered, various high schools coordinate with healthcare experts, firefighters, and other non-governmental organizations. The cooperation facilitates students receiving education from trained teachers as well as practicing using devices in compliance with the latest protocols and guidelines. These corporations help maximize CPR education through strengthening communitywide cultures of preparedness and safety.

Implement CPR Training Across High Schools!

High school students wanting to transform their communities must look no further and get ready to gain valuable life-saving skills! They can easily sign up to their favorite CPR training class and empower themselves with the skills and knowledge to save a victim’s life in an emergency.  Anyone can easily make a positive impact on the community by volunteering. This helps them gain valuable career skills required for certain jobs, such as paramedics, lifeguards, and nurses. So, take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about CPR to become a responsible citizen.