Watched a news where someone goes into cardiac arrest and collapses on a chair, road or airport. Seen someone chokes on their lunch at a restaurant?
In that circumstances you must have seen most people video graphing the incident, only a few crying for help or calling the emergency, but it would be little of a chance if in that crowd, someone running forward to give basic medical assistance- First aid & CPR, to save lives in emergencies.
Anything can happen anywhere to anyone……
Having either CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) or basic first aid knowledge in the first few minutes’ pf an accident can make the difference of life and death. Providing quick first aid can reduce the severity of an injury. Nevertheless, many of us go through life without ever learning these skills which can be lifesaving and lead to safer environment.
This brings up an important question: should CPR and first aid training be made compulsory in schools and colleges?
Health experts are increasingly of the opinion that yes.
What Is the Need for CPR and First Aid Training?
Medical emergencies can occur anywhere including school, at home, on the road, or anywhere. Immediate first aid and CPR can keep any person alive till professional medical help arrives.
As per the global recovery guidelines, timely providing of CPR (by a bystander) can greatly improve survival chances after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Having even basic knowledge of first aid can help to control bleeding, deal with burns, identify a stroke, help someone who is choking and more. Its basically bridges the gap between the onset of an injury or illness and professional medical help.
What it is Important For Students To Learn This Early?
Schools and colleges are the best places to introduce CPR and first-aid because they provide practical knowledge that the student learns at that age and use it throughout their lifetime. Just like how they learn maths, science and languages, they can learn to react without panic during emergencies.
They might learn valuable skills at an early age and stay calm during emergencies. Moreover it –
- Create confidenceÂ
- Grasp one’s moral obligation for both self and others.
- Be responsible as first responders in their families and neighbourhoods.
Schools in many countries have already integrated this education to ensure inclusion and essential learning in health and safety.
Benefits outside classroom
CPR and first aid training does not only benefit campuses but also beyond it. With the right training, one student today can save a parent with a heart attack, a victim in a road crash, or a friend choking. The skills we are referring to are not just for medical professionals ; Any citizen can make use of these life skills.
The students would be confident to use the skills in real-life situations if they have regular refresher sessions and practice.
Must Be Made Compulsory
If everyone is trained in CPR and First Aid, the chances of saving a life even before professional help arrives greatly improve. Introducing countrywide training needs investment and qualified trainers for hands-on training. However, the long-term gains will outweigh the costs.
After all, not every student will be able to become a physician – but every student can be the first responder for someone.
The last word
Education is about preparing students not only for various careers but also for life in general. Teaching youngsters how to do CPR and first-aid at school and colleges will give them cognitive power and self-confidence to act in such emergencies. In a world where timing is everything, if we made these lifesaving lessons a part of education, we could create safer schools, stronger communities and ultimately save lives.
