We’ve posted in our blog before about CPR certification requirements in our school systems. Whether it’s just the teachers or select staff, or whether a district makes CPR a requirement for high school graduation, we’re all for it.

Different states have different laws, and many have made CPR and emergency care training part of their education plans. For instance, in Michigan, teachers are required to be certified in first aid, adult CPR, and child CPR skills. And in Washington, all high school students must receive CPR training as part of their health classes. Illinois requires that CPR and AED be included as a “basis for curricula” in all secondary schools. The Illinois law requires training, but not certification (each school board is encouraged - not required - to have “at least one person who is certified”).

As you can see, there’s a variety of laws out there.

One of the easiest ways our ASHI and MEDIC First Aid instructors can find out what’s required by state law and regulation is by checking the Regulatory Approval section in Otis. This is also a great resource if you are looking to expand your customer base by offering training to satisfy the regulatory compliance needs of other businesses and organizations in your community.

Training to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) is often part of the requirement. You may recall Congresswoman Lois Capps (24^th District, California) and proposed bill H.R. 2308, the “Teaching Children to Save Lives Act,” which would:

“[D]irect the Secretary of Education to establish a program to provide grants for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator training in public elementary and secondary schools."

Capps introduced the bill in June, 2013, and it has been referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Providing funding would go a long way towards promoting the teaching of CPR skills in our school systems, and we will keep you posted on the progress of this bill as it moves through the legislative process.

Coaches and physical education trainers who work with young people are another school system demographic that may (or may not) be required to hold CPR certification, and there are a lot of inspiring stories out there of how a quick-acting coach or even a fellow player have saved a youngster stricken by sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

As we move into the last month of the typical school summer break season, it isn’t too early to see what’s required by your state law and Board of Education regulations, and then let us help you meet those requirements for your customers. ASHI and MEDIC First Aid both offer CPR, AED, and first aid training programs for adults, children, and infants. These programs are easy-to-teach and easy-to-learn and offer two-year certification cards. If your local districts only require awareness-level CPR training, our Hands On Practical Experience (HOPE) program might be just the thing they’re looking for.

Plus, you can bring some fun and excitement to those required classes by including a few rounds of the LOOP CPR skills game. Fast-paced and fun, LOOP really helps capture your young audience’s attention and makes learning CPR a memorable experience.

If you aren’t an instructor, you can always prepare yourself to respond in an emergency by taking a class today.