CPR training for Virginia school staff members and students
During the Virginia Legislative Session of 2013, the lawmakers are considering a law that could potentially save lives for years to come. House Bill 2028 was introduced by Del. Mark Dudenhefer, representative from Stafford, and was born out of a tragedy that occurred when a young girl, Gwyneth, collapsed at school. (Read the story here)
The bill proposes the following:
For adults working in the school system:
- Bus drivers would be required to be trained in first aid, CPR, and use of AEDs (automatic external defibrillators).
- More staff per school would be required to have training in first aid, CPR and use of AEDs
- Teachers seeking initial licensure or renewal licenses would be required to have training in first aid, CPR and use of AEDs or have a provisional license with a disability wavier
For students in the school system:
- Receive training in emergency first aid, CPR and the use of AEDs
- Training would begin with first-time nineth grade students for school year 2014-2015
- Required for a standard or advanced diploma
For the schools:
- Each school would have an AED by the 2014-2015 school year
- Each school would run cardiopulmonary resuscitation drills
This may be a lot to implement in such a short time frame, but it seems like common sense to have teachers and bus drivers and those working with children to have this training. It would be great training for many of us.
If you get a chance to follow the story (link), Katie Thisdell writes in the Free Lance Star (9/30/12) that many of the staff at Gwyneth's school took it upon themselves to get CPR training and those in the Gwyneth's graduating class of 2017 agreed to become CPR certified before getting their diplomas. Kudos to those teachers and students.
Don't wait for the government to mandate, don't wait until a tragedy occurs. Take a class
To check on the status of the bill click here
To read the bill click here
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