Last month, during Patrick Henry High School’s finals week, over 400 freshmen completed their semester final in exercise sciences by learning the valuable skills of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR.) Students were walked through a two-hour curriculum filled with life-saving skills and information.
Students in Matt Reese and Terri Clark’s ninth-grade exercise sciences classes participated in a hands-only CPR lesson where they learned the skills necessary to perform hands-only CPR on an adult in an emergency situation. Students also learned child CPR, which includes rescue breathing and chest compressions. Each student had a “mini-Anne” mannequin to learn and practice on which provided valuable hands-on experience for each and every student.
Before each final/CPR lesson began the students were asked this question: “How many of you know CPR?” Only a handful of students each period would raise their hands. Each period had approximately 90 students combined (two exercise sciences classes each period).
Upon completion of the lesson, students were asked a follow-up question: “How many of you feel confident enough to give CPR to someone should the need arise?” Overwhelmingly, almost every student in each class raised their hand.
An out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victim has a 10 percent survival rate, according to the American Heart Association. But when CPR is immediately started a victim’s survival rate can double and even triple. Students learned that any CPR is better than no CPR.
In addition to the life-saving skills of child and adult CPR, students were also taught how to recognize and then help someone — adult or child — if they are choking. The final piece of their exam was to learn what an Automated External Defibrillator, AED, is and how to use it. Patrick Henry High School is equipped with two AEDs and students became informed of the location and simple steps to activate an AED should they ever need to.
Exercise science classes at Patrick Henry High School are designed to help students gain life-long skills necessary to be healthy, productive and responsible citizens in their world. Teaching CPR within the context of exercise sciences helps students reach National Physical Education Standards that reach far beyond the classroom or playing fields.
This educational opportunity was possible by a grant funded by County Supervisor Ron Roberts. The funds were given to the American Heart Association, who then purchased the kits for San Diego city schools. There are 10 kits housed in each of the 16 high school clusters and schools can check them out from the lead school.
