Since we first began training people in CPR and first aid, we’ve heard so many stories about ordinary citizens — many of them teenagers — taking heroic action to save lives in emergencies.
Take, for example, the high school senior from Grand Rapids, Michigan, who recently saved a man’s life just days after completing CPR and first aid training through our student CPR program.
Stories like this are exactly why we believe every student should be trained in CPR. Because you don’t have to be a medical professional or even an adult to save a life — you just have to know what to do and be willing and able to do it.
Read on to learn more about the importance of youth CPR training and how you can help make that training available to more students in your community.
Why Youth CPR Training Matters
Part of our mission here at ProTrainings is teaching CPR to everyone, including teenagers. Over the years, we’ve trained tens of thousands of students through our student CPR program, and those students have shown us time and time again that youth CPR training is not just worthwhile but essential.
A few of the many reasons why it’s important to train teenagers in CPR and first aid include:
- Enthusiasm: Teenagers often make excellent rescuers because they are eager to lend a helping hand, can keep their composure in emergencies, and may not be inhibited by the same fears that prevent adult bystanders from jumping into action.
- Greater numbers: The more rescuers we can train, the better. Providing CPR training to students means more people will be able to save lives in emergencies — no matter when or where they occur.
- Spreading the word: Peer pressure can be a powerful thing, and it’s not always negative. As more teenagers get CPR-certified, their friends may be more likely to do the same.
- Existing learning environment: Young people who are still in school are already immersed in an environment of learning. Adding CPR to their existing curricula is a fantastic way to equip them with essential lifesaving skills without overwhelming their workload.
Youth CPR training is an investment in the future of our communities. By providing this training to students, we can help make our world safer for everyone.
How to Get Involved
Whether you’re directly involved with a local school or not, there are several ways you can help make CPR training more accessible to students in your community.
Get CPR Certified
If you’re not already certified in CPR yourself, consider getting that certification as soon as you can. It’s a simple but effective way to add to the number of trained rescuers in your area, and it will ensure you’re prepared to handle emergencies in your own home or workplace.
Plus, you’ll be setting an example for the people around you. Tell your friends, family, and colleagues that you’re earning your CPR certification and why those skills are valuable to you, and encourage them to get their certifications, too.
Advocate for CPR in Schools
Another important action you can take to help build a safer world is to encourage your local schools to prioritize CPR training for their students and faculty.
Advocate for legislation that requires schools to implement CPR training, drills, and placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Talk to school administrators about creating schoolwide CPR training programs, even if it’s not required in your state.
The more schools hear from the community about the importance of CPR training, the more likely they may be to adopt it.
Why We Do What We Do
With the proper training, anyone can save a life. That’s why we believe CPR training is vital for people of all ages and why we’re committed to making that training available to students in as many schools as we can.
You can join our cause by speaking about the importance of CPR training to those around you and by setting an example and getting trained in CPR yourself.
Want to get your school on board with CPR training? Contact us today to learn more about our student CPR program.