Should teachers be CPR certified?

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 20, 2003

Originally posted by KC CHICK
......and nurses don't?? There are MANY fields of work that are demanding. I believe that ANYONE responsible for the care of another human being...be it a nurse, police officer, and even teachers should be required to take a basic CPR course.

They're responsible for the well being of the children in their care during class time, are they not? I'm sure that there would be a minimal charge to the school system to get this accomplished. At the very least...school systems should be looking into this.

I was always told that children have a better chance of revival from initiation of CPR than adults. Teachers should WANT to know what to do in case of an emergency...not depend on someone else to do it for them. After all, they are the ones that spend most of the time with the children in their class.....not the school nurse and not the gym teacher.

Anne;)

HERE, HERE to me if you want to teach, you should HAVE TO HAVE BCLS period, no excuses about how much you have on your plate or how much it costs. If MY son were to quit breathing due to accident, injury or choking, you think I wanna wait for a SCHOOL NURSE (there is ONE for 10 schools in our district) or "one of those teachers who is spread out" as someone said here, to save his life? THINK AGAIN. It does not cost that much to get basic CPR from Red Cross and it is offered all the time. I know, I took classes from them before I was an RN.

NO EXCUSES as far as I am concerned would be good enough if my child died in the care of a teacher or aide who did not even bother to have basic CPR ....period. NOW I will make it my mission to find out if his teacher has it and if not, I will move heaven and earth to make it happen at some point. I cannot believe they don't, like I said earlier.

RN2B2005 · Mar 20, 2003

The point I think most posters are missing is that CPR requirements vary from district to district, even within a state.

Some districts, like my husband's, require every employee to be at least CPR certified and most employees have CPR plus First Aid plus AED certification, in addition to having the funding for AED units in every school and a school nurse on premises during school hours every day. Some districts have no requirements at all and no funding for a school nurse or AED. Most are muddling along in between, doing the best they can with what they have.

As I said before, I doubt seriously that the teachers stood idly by while the little girl died. I think we all need remember that lots of people judge nurses the way this thread is starting to judge teachers ("why didn't that nurse do XYZ? why did that nurse let that patient fall?").

If you want to make a difference, call up your local school board and ask, What can I do for you? How can I get an AED in every school in my district? What are your funding needs? That's the way to make a difference.

Enabled · Mar 20, 2003

Originally posted by Enabled
sr moore, I am aware that this is a very serious subject but how does one lay off a half of a nurse? You would think that the schools would be screeming to have nurses or several trained in CPR as one said to avoid a nasty lawsuit. And what comes out of it nothing. The awards given are nothing compared to the loss of life needlessly by any age. I something happened to my grandnieces as I don't have any children it would be devastating and no money would ever be able to fill the gap in my heart.
Also, everyone go home and hug your kids today. If they are elsewhere give them a call just to say high.

Many times a parent is a coach for Saturday soccer are they certified. Here in Florida thunderstoms come up jn a flash. It is not unusual to hear that someone has been struck by lightening. Florida is the lightening capital of the world. I think in addition to keep their teaching certificate that teachers, coaches, administrators and ancillary staff should have basic CPR. At least if something is done the child or individual has a chance but to stand by and say where is the ambulance is already too late. I would not worry about the ambulance chasers as they have no case as there is usually a uniform Good Sam Act in every state and it would be judged with someohe having the same level of training. Many realize that this is a skill that isn't needed that frequently but thank heavens we have it or some of us mi ght not be here.

amken · Mar 20, 2003

I think they should, what can it hurt?????? I also thought schools had nurses!!!!!!!!! If there was a nurse at that school, I wonder if that would have helped any??? My child is in daycare and all teachers are cpr/first aid certified and it makes me feel good to know it............

disher · Mar 21, 2003

Instead mandating teachers to learn CPR. It might be more effective to train 911 operators to instruct callers on how to assess and begin CPR.

What would have happened if the 911 operator had stayed on the line after dispatching the paramedics and talked the teacher through CPR?...... it wouldn't have hurt and it might have helped.

Flynurse · Mar 21, 2003

Originally posted by disher
Instead mandating teachers to learn CPR. It might be more effective to train 911 operators to instruct callers on how to assess and begin CPR.

I like that idea.

igloorn93 · Mar 21, 2003

Yes I do. I can't believe that they aren't. I guess that since I don't have any children of my own I hadn't given it much thought, but I do think it should be a requirement, and it isn't hard to get either.

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2003

In our school district we offer CPR training and recertification on our in-service days. The district pays for and provides the training. We also have signs posted in each classroom listing CPR and Heimlich techniques.

Unfortunately, nurses are considered a luxury item for districts. I recently heard that one district cut one nurse and another district cut hours for their high-school level nurse. Everytime money becomes a issue, and that is all the time, I cringe. I am glad I am no longer low-man on the totem pole.

Robin61970 · Mar 21, 2003

I took First Aid and the majority of the others in my class were Elementary Ed majors so it is required here......thank goodness. YES YES YES.....teachers should know CPR and heimlich!!!!

ShortFuse_LPN, LPN · Mar 21, 2003

Originally posted by disher
Instead mandating teachers to learn CPR. It might be more effective to train 911 operators to instruct callers on how to assess and begin CPR.
What would have happened if the 911 operator had stayed on the line after dispatching the paramedics and talked the teacher through CPR?...... it wouldn't have hurt and it might have helped.

What happens when the child is on the playground or some other place where there is no phone?

litebrite · Mar 21, 2003

My mother is a teacher and I think they should be certified. She has been teaching for over 30 years and never taken a CPR course. I did get her to take one last summer. I think day care's, schools, etc, any place that cares for children should have to take CPR. Especially, since at least where I live there are not always nurses in the school. Some rotate and aren't at the school for part of the day. I find that appalling as well. It will take for a child to die before they will change that, it's crazy. Like kids will only get hurt have a problem when the nurse is there, it makes no sense.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 21, 2003

Originally posted by disher
Instead mandating teachers to learn CPR. It might be more effective to train 911 operators to instruct callers on how to assess and begin CPR.
What would have happened if the 911 operator had stayed on the line after dispatching the paramedics and talked the teacher through CPR?...... it wouldn't have hurt and it might have helped.

Not nearly good enough when you consider SECONDS count when a child has arrested. COME ON HOW HARD is this REALLY? ----and like previously mentioned, what if there is no phone handy? You have about 4 minutes til brain death occurs, am I right? How much time does it take to initiate respirations and if needed, chest compressions, compared to someone getting a phone and having to have a crash course over the phone on how to save a life? To me, this is a poor suggestion. A poor substitute for getting a basic skill everyone should have anyhow.