First Aid and CPR Training for Teachers
The Importance of Knowing How to React to School-Related Injuries
Jul 3, 2009
In an report by the Canadian Association for School Health "Checklist/Guidelines for School Health Programs to Prevent Injury", Charles S. McCall, executive director of the Canadian Association for School Health stated that unintentional injuries account for 25% of deaths in Canada – killing more young adults than all diseases combined. Moreover, injury is the prime cause of death among children and young adults in Canada.
Importance of First Aid and CPR Training
Since it is not surprising that teachers spend most of their time with children, teachers’ knowledge of what actions to take in times of minor or major injuries is crucial to students’ safety. First Aid and CPR training is a mandatory requirement for employees in the workplace. However, not all jurisdictions in Canada require teachers to have First Aid or CPR training – despite the fact that teachers spend a significant amount of time with children.
Although most if not all schools have a nurse or other First Aid/CPR qualified personnel on site, injuries can happen at anytime and anyplace, and may require the teacher to act alone.
According to the article on October 14, 2008, "How can a CPR Training Help Parents and Teachers?", The American Health Academy believes that anyone who is is around children can benefit from taking a CPR class. “Taking a CPR class can be the first step to keeping the children you care for safe." The ability to perform CPR and being familiar with First Aid procedures are important skills for teachers to have. Whether they are on a field trip, in the lunchroom, at the playground or in the classroom, teachers could potentially be faced with instances where CPR is required to save a child’s life.
According to the Canada Safety Council, “Every employee can benefit from at least introductory CPR training. It puts them in a position to help in life threatening situations such as choking or heart attack, which require swift, effective response.”
The Ontario Trillium Federation (OTF) has been very proactive in its quest to aid communities wishing to implement CPR classes in Ontario high schools. In 2004, the OTF provided the Advanced Coronary Treatment (ACT) Foundation with a $300,000 grant over three years to assist communities in implementing a CPR program in high schools across Ontario.
CPR Classes for Teachers
Knowing how to react when a child is choking or having an asthma attack is a skill that is important for teachers. Proper reaction to such injuries could mean saving a child’s life. Thanks to technology, the convenience of on-line CPR classes is available for teachers (and others interested in CPR training) and some take as little as four to seven hours to complete.
In-class CPR training is also available through organizations such as St. John Ambulance and the Canadian Red Cross, with both offering training courses that deal with life threatening situations that could occur at home or work as well as methods to prevent injuries. Such organizations provide training at a variety of locations and times, making the classes accessible to those who are interested.
Providing a Safe Education for Children
All students have the right to learn in a safe and protective school environment. Preventing unintentional injuries at school would help improve the learning environment. Although it is not mandatory by law for all teachers to have CPR/First Aid training, the fact remains that teachers are surrounded by children for a significant amount of time, and some teachers may actually find themselves in the situation where CPR or other means of intervention is required.
 |
