Ensuring the safety of students is a key concern for every school. Some schools have begun preparing for emergencies by offering first-aid certification courses. With a basic understanding of first aid, staff and students are able to stay composed and respond quickly if an emergency occurs.
CPR is an easy example here. In 2020, sudden cardiac arrest caused 436,000 deaths in the U.S. Because it could take several minutes for the proper medical help to arrive, being able to start CPR immediately could have drastically increased survival chances. This article will focus on the important part first aid training plays in safety in schools.
Top 10 Reasons Schools Should Offer First Aid Training
Getting first aid certification is super important for keeping schools safe. It helps take care of students and staff in case of accidents. Here are 10 ways it makes schools safer for everyone:
1. Immediate Response to Emergencies
Having first aid certification means you can assist in emergencies, and that can be extremely beneficial in situations where ambulances take longer to arrive. Let’s look at Braydon Brighton – he works as a rural contractor in Queensland Australia. One time he got bitten by a brown snake and didn’t have a special bandage kit on him. Luckily he had some first aid training and knew what to do in the meantime. Looking back, he said, “I believe every school leaver should be put through these courses, you never know when you are going to need it and if you have that knowledge already it could be the difference in saving someone’s life.”
2. Enhanced Student Safety
Educating kids on first aid allows them to confidently assist in an emergency and know how to provide CPR, aid someone who’s bleeding, or even treat someone who is choking. Kids who know first aid are more prepared to lend a hand and take charge, which makes them more responsible. Furthermore, schools become safer and more nurturing environments when trained students are present. During an emergency, students can come to the aid of their peers or instructors who may be in distress and help save the day when it matters most.
3. Improved Emergency Preparedness
Having first aid training as part of a school safety plan is an excellent way to assist students and teachers in dealing with emergencies. Knowing how to respond to an injury, fire, or other crises allows individuals to remain calm and think clearly to respond quickly. Teaching these skills increases the overall safety and preparedness in schools. It demonstrates that schools are concerned about their students and staff, giving everyone a sense of security to know they will be cared for.
4. Reduced Severity of Injuries
In order to minimize injuries and prevent complications, immediate first aid is important. Injuries can be stabilized with some interventions such as applying pressure to bleeding, immobilizing fractures, or performing CPR. These steps decrease the likelihood of further injury. For example, in order to prevent shock resulting from excessive blood loss, severe bleeding can be controlled.
In addition, timely implementation of first aid can enhance overall health outcomes by relieving pain, promoting quicker recovery, and reducing the chances of infection.
5. Increased Confidence Among Staff and Students
First aid certification boosts the self-esteem of staff and students in a school or any educational institution. When people undergo first aid training, they learn how to manage emergencies, which minimizes their level of powerlessness and panic. This state of readiness generates a sense of safety which enables people to concentrate on their main duties of teaching and learning without too much worry about possible emergencies. Besides, such confidence carries over beyond the classroom, for trained persons will more readily help in emergencies at the community level, thus nurturing a sense of concern and responsibility.
6. Support for Community Health
Being first aid certified improves health in the community as it empowers individuals to respond appropriately during emergencies. Accidents, medical emergencies, and even natural disasters can happen without notice, and trained community members can provide immediate assistance during these critical moments which can save lives and reduce injury severity.
Take rural communities as an example. There are delays in medical help getting to these areas and having individuals who have first aid training can greatly assist in the life-saving care needed before professional responders arrive. This is also helpful in persons who have simple first aid knowledge as it broadens the culture of safety and encourages proactively taking care of their health as well as welfare in the entire community.
7. Enhanced School Reputation
First aid certification of a school improves its reputation as it shows that the school takes the health and safety issues of its students and staff seriously. The community and parents understand the dedication of a school providing first aid training and it gives them confidence in the safety measures taken. Parents are prone to trust more schools that show concern for the well-being of their children. In addition, an effective staff is capable of dealing with emergencies which decreases the likelihood of minor incidents turning into major problems and helps promote a sense of duty and concern for the school community.
8. Compliance with Safety Regulations
Following the safety rules is an important step towards creating a safe school setting. Regulatory agencies, like OSHA in the USA, make sure that every employer guarantees a safe working environment. This safety provision includes having trained personnel who can and will provide first aid when needed.
According to OSHA’s rule for First Aid in the Industrial Sectors, 29 CFR 1910.151(b), employers are required to supply first aid provisions and adequately trained staff to offer basic medical assistance if there is no infirmary, clinic or hospital within the vicinity of the workplace. By organizing first aid training sessions, schools are not only preparing their teachers and students with basic life-saving skills but are also fulfilling regulatory obligations.
9. Development of Life-Saving Skills
Providing people with skills that can prove to be life-saving, like CPR or bleeding control, is necessary for managing emergencies effectively. These skills enable fast and accurate responses to critical situations which greatly increases health outcomes and helps save lives. In terms of education, instilling a sense of responsibility and care through first aid training helps promote a supportive and proactive environment with both students and staff being able to respond to emergencies effectively.
10. Promoting a Culture of Responsibility
Adding first aid training to the school curriculum helps students and teachers develop a sense of responsibility and care for one another. By teaching life-saving skills, students learn to help their classmates during emergencies, helping to cultivate a supportive school environment. This not only builds self-confidence but also helps promote empathy and collaboration, with students working together to take care of their community. This willingness to help and support others encourages students to be concerned for the safety and well-being of themselves and others, making them more caring, which helps bring the school community together.
Prioritize First Aid Training Today
Getting first aid certified is essential for a school’s well-being as it ensures that there is someone ready to respond to emergencies immediately. Schools can train students and staff to help deal with medical emergencies, avoid injuries, and enhance the overall safety of the school. Developing easy access to first aid materials and regular first aid training makes sure that the entire school community is ready to manage emergencies as quickly and easily as possible.
