Should teachers be CPR certified?

kids · Mar 19, 2003

Originally posted by PowerPuffGirl
I'm actually kind of surprised to hear that they aren't. I guess I had always assumed they were.

- C.

Ditto

P_RN, ADN, RN · Mar 19, 2003

I thought they were too. There is a good samaritan law in this state.

ShortFuse_LPN, LPN · Mar 19, 2003

I don't know all the details in the case involving the little girl. I do know that the school involved only has a nurse there @ lunchtime to administer meds. The secretary "handles" things that come up.

I also realize that the school budget may not be able to include the CPR training but I also think (hope) there would be some way to get it done.

deespoohbear · Mar 19, 2003

Originally posted by fab4fan
Adding another responsibility like CPR just increases their liability. I agree, it would bring out the ambulance chasers. Then what next...since nurses are being cut back, what will the next medical task be that will be relegated to the teachers.

If my kids were in the school system I definitely would want the teachers to know BLS.

I do think teachers should at least know CPR and basic first aid. Like I posted and a few others, schools are cutting their budgets to the bones and the nursing staff is the first "luxury" to get the axe in most schools. Precious minutes will be wasted if the adults are just standing around waiting for EMS to arrive. Even if a nurse is present in the building he or she could be minutes away from where the arrest is occurring. We all know that seconds count when someone is not getting enough blood and oxygen to support life to their vital organs. I would be pretty upset if my kid was the one arresting and no adults who care for kids day in and day out did not have a flippin' clue of what to do to try and save the life of my child.

NurseGirlKaren · Mar 19, 2003

Dees--there's no question the nurse should be CPR certified, it's the teachers that are in question as to whether or not they should be CPR certified.

deespoohbear · Mar 19, 2003

Originally posted by NurseGirlKaren
Dees--there's no question the nurse should be CPR certified, it's the teachers that are in question as to whether or not they should be CPR certified.

Yep, I just realize my screw up...I went back and amended my post. Sorry if I upset anyone...too much Robitussin with codiene in me right now....(making note to myself: do not post in haste and especially when under the influence of drugs.... ).

Again, I am sorry if I stepped on any toes....I really didn't mean too.....:chair:

TracyB,RN, RN · Mar 19, 2003

The firefighter that taught my CPR class said that only 50% of people who receive CPR will survive. Don't know if that is an accurate statistic or not, just something to think about.

The grammar school & high school I went to did not have a school nurse.

I would sure love it for teachers to know CPR AND be covered by the Good Sam act.

I would rather have a half assed attempt rather than no attempt at all.

valk · Mar 19, 2003

I am a school nurse & AHA BLS instructor. I can't imagine a school nurse not being certified in BLS

In New York State legislation was passed requiring at least one AED in eachs school in May of 2002. Unfortunately New York City received an exemption from the law in December due to lack of funds to purchase the AEDs.

Pennsylvania & Delaware have similar legislation requiring AEDs in schools. Not sure about other states.

Usually these laws are brought about after a child dies in school & the child's family lobbies for the AEDs to prevent another death.

memphispanda, RN · Mar 19, 2003

Teachers already have an awful lot on their plates. If the paperwork nightmare would slow down for them, then maybe it would be reasonable to ask one more thing of them, but otherwise...it would be nice, but not another requirement. I have watched too many of my family members teach to even think about adding to what's already necessary.

I am a former preschool teacher, and we did NOT have to be CPR certified. What was required was that there always had to be present in the facility someone who was CPR certified. Never mind that you might be in the Gym while the CPR certified person was way back down a hall in a different building.

deespoohbear · Mar 19, 2003

Originally posted by BelindaLPN
I also realize that the school budget may not be able to include the CPR training but I also think (hope) there would be some way to get it done.

I doubt if most school budgets could withstand the press and monetary costs of a multi-million dollar lawsuit that stems from a student dying because no one knew CPR and the nurse (if there is even one) is not immediately available. Seems like it would be a heck of a lot more cost effective to get a majority of the staff certified... :rolleyes:

RNonsense · Mar 19, 2003

IMHO I think anyone who is around/supervises children should be trained in CPR and basic first aid for choking, etc.

susanmary · Mar 19, 2003

Originally posted by deespoohbear
I doubt if most school budgets could withstand the press and monetary costs of a multi-million dollar lawsuit that stems from a student dying because no one knew CPR and the nurse (if there is even one) is not immediately available. Seems like it would be a heck of a lot more cost effective to get a majority of the staff certified...

Exactly what happened to the school system in a city close by. I believe there wasn't a school nurse present -- nurses were split between schools. Kid choked on a hot dog & ended up dying -- no one either knew the heimlich/or did it correctly -- I can't remember. HUGE liability & lawsuit. Ended up with RN in every school. Again, this is soooo sad.