A First Aid kit is a great start for teachers and school staff to have on hand, but it only covers basic injuries and minor emergency situations. In a school setting, faculty is responsible for hundreds of kids. If a more serious emergency comes up, it’s imperative that staff knows how to handle it. Especially when they are the only adult in a classroom. That’s why teachers and school staff need more than a First Aid kit—they need to learn CPR to handle the big stuff if and when it happens.
Why Should Teachers and Staff Get CPR-Certified in Schools
Getting teachers and staff CPR-certified in schools is one of the most important things you can do. With so many people under one roof, the odds are higher that something could happen, whether it’s in the classroom, at lunch, during an after-school program, or in the school swimming pool. No matter the environment, an emergency can happen at any time—and it’s important to be prepared.
What Common Emergencies Does CPR Cover That First Aid Doesn’t?
Many schools think that only a few caretakers need to be CPR-certified to fill the need: medical personnel and staff who deal with common care challenges (like coaches and special needs aids). However, emergencies can happen at any time to anyone of any age. Whether it’s a child or adult in your school, accidents and one-off cases can happen.
While First Aid covers the basics, CPR fills in the blanks. Some of the common emergencies that may occur in a school setting include:
- Cardiac arrest in a student or staff member
- Severe choking, drowning, or blocked airways
- Anaphylactic shock (the EpiPen is often with the school nurse)
- Drowning in a nearby body of water or swimming pool
- Extreme falls, head trauma, electrical shock, etc.
- Drug overdose or food poisoning
- Severe asthma attacks
There are a ton of uncommon emergency situations that can and will happen. It’s when staff and teachers aren’t prepared when they happen that it’s a problem. While First Aid covers the minor emergencies, CPR helps cover more dangerous situations.
Related Content: What’s the Difference Between CPR and First Aid?
Who Should Be CPR-Certified in Schools?
Some of the most common staff members to get CPR-certified are the school nurse and coaches. However, any caretaker or teacher who is handling children should get certified for the utmost protection. Anything could happen in a classroom, and every second counts when a child or another adult goes into cardiac arrest. Even sending someone down the hall for help wastes precious time that could save someone.
According to Very Well Health, CPR must be started in the first two minutes to increase the chances of survival and reduce brain damage. If it doesn’t happen right away, hypoxia and severe damage can happen, resulting in:
- Amnesia and memory loss
- Involuntary muscle contractions
- Incontinence
- Impaired speech
- Personality changes
- Disorientation
When more teachers and school staff are educated on what to do in an emergency and get CPR-certified, it can literally save lives in schools—of both adults and students—when something happens.
Related Content: Why Coaches Should Learn CPR Before the Season Starts
Where to Get Teachers and School Staff CPR-Certified
If your teachers and school staff aren’t currently CPR-certified and you’d like them to be prepared in emergencies, our team at HeartCert offers group training. During these group lessons, we’ll cover:
- First Aid basics and treatments
- CPR training for adults, children, and infants
- Recognizing symptoms of cardiac arrest
- How to perform life-saving techniques
- And more
Sign up today, and we’ll set up a date to come to you and ensure your teachers and school staff have the knowledge they need to handle emergencies and save a life.
HeartCert is your trusted training partner for CPR, ACLS, PALS, EMR, First Aid, CNA, TMA, IV, EKG and more, throughout the United States.
Courses include CPR/AED/First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nursing Assistant training, IV training, EKG training, babysitter basics and more. Courses and certifications from both the American Heart Association and American Red Cross are available. We offer virtual courses and certifications, in all 50 states as well as in-person classes at our headquarters, HeartCert CPR Eagan and major cities in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.
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