CPR & AED Education Crisis at Public Schools

CPR & AED Education Crisis at Public Schools
Every year over 350,000 Americans experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest event; most of whom will not survive. The primary way a bystander can increase the survival rate of these unfortunate events is with CPR and an AED. CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and it is an emergency life-saving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate high quality CPR can double, or even triple, the chances of survival after cardiac arrest. An AED, automated external defibrillator, is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest by analyzing the heart's rhythm and delivering a shock to help the heart regain an effective rhythm.

Why We Need CPR

As of the 2022-2023 school year, CPR certification in health class was discontinued. In the real world, 2.4% of the US population is trained in CPR annually. CPR is an extremely important skill to learn as it keeps the blood flow active and extends the opportunity for a successful resuscitation once trained medical staff arrive on site. More people NEED to be trained and certified in CPR and AED usage as it is a crucial aspect in increasing survival rate for cardiac arrest.

The Public Opinion

The question “Do you think that the school should have CPR certification courses?” was asked to both seniors and teachers of David Brearley and the following was said:

Kaylee Payne, senior and Student Council President, stated “I do think the school should teach CPR because if our school can make ceramics and printmaking a class, then CPR should be at least, a requirement in health class.”

An anonymous student stated “Learning it will simply save lives.”

Ms. Dunn, a gym teacher, stated, “We used to, but with all the information we need to get in during one marking period of health, we had to cut it short. So yes, I think we should but I think we just don't have the time. I would love to have a health elective where we can go more in depth in certain topics. That being one!”