This week’s blog post comes from Kate Macmorn, the Communications Director for the American Medical Resource Institute (AMRI) where they’ve trained over a million healthcare professionals to study for, earn and maintain life support certifications that allow them to better respond to cardiac emergencies.

Have you ever been in a situation where someone suddenly collapsed or got injured? Medical emergencies can happen at any time, anywhere, and to anyone. It’s a sobering thought that we should all prepare for. 

Potentially life-threatening situations require immediate action. That’s where life-saving procedures like CPR come in. With the right BLS and ACLS training, you learn how to save someone’s life by restoring breathing and circulation.

While it may seem daunting, learning CPR can be the difference between life and death in an emergency. It’s not just healthcare professionals who should be equipped with this knowledge. Everyone, including teenagers, should know how to perform CPR. Let’s see why.

What Is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a medical technique used to save someone’s life when they stop breathing, or their heart stops beating. The technique combines chest compressions and rescue breaths to restore the victim’s breathing and circulation until medical help arrives. 

During CPR, the rescuer performs chest compressions by pressing the victim’s chest with their hands. This pressure creates a force that pumps blood through the heart and into the body’s organs. 

Rescue breaths involve blowing air into the victim’s mouth, which helps to oxygenate the victim’s lungs and organs.

How CPR Training Empowers Students

BLS and ACLS training involves learning the necessary skills to perform CPR correctly and confidently. In a typical CPR course, participants learn the different steps involved in performing CPR on adults, children, and infants. 

These steps may include assessing the scene for safety, checking for responsiveness, calling for emergency services, performing chest compressions, and rescue breathing.

CPR Training may also teach participants to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). CPR training also covers the appropriate technique for giving chest compressions, which involves pushing hard and fast on the center of the chest to help circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. 

Participants may also learn about the importance of rescue breaths, which involve breathing air into a person’s lungs to help keep them oxygenated.

8 Benefits of CPR Training for Teenage Students

Learning CPR isn’t just reserved for seasoned medical professionals. That’s right. It’s a skill that everyone needs. Even teenagers can learn this life-saving skill and become heroes in their own right. 

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As a parent or teacher, you want your teenage students to be prepared for any situation that comes their way. Let’s look into some of the benefits of CPR training for teenage students.

Increased Confidence in Emergencies

One of the most significant benefits of CPR training for teenage students is the increased confidence it can provide in emergencies. 

In times of crisis, fear and panic can often set in, making it challenging to act quickly and decisively. However, with CPR training, students can learn to respond effectively to emergencies, potentially saving lives.

Learning how to perform CPR can give students an understanding of the steps required to intervene in a medical emergency, including how to check for vital signs, assess the situation, and deliver life-saving techniques. 

These skills give students confidence in their ability to act in high-pressure situations, enabling them to take charge and provide the necessary assistance.

Moreover, the confidence students gain from CPR training can extend beyond emergencies. This newfound confidence can spill over into other areas of their lives, such as school, sports, and social interactions. 

Students who feel more confident in their abilities are more likely to take on leadership roles, communicate more effectively, and take risks that can lead to personal and professional growth.

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Improved Critical Thinking Skills

CPR training is more than just learning the steps involved in performing CPR. It requires students to develop critical thinking skills to evaluate a situation and determine the best action. During CPR training, students learn to assess the victim’s condition, identify potential risks, and choose the appropriate response to the emergency.

Through CPR training, students learn to think critically by analyzing information and deciding under pressure. Critical thinking is an essential skill that can help individuals succeed in various fields, including healthcare, engineering, and business.

Furthermore, CPR training can help students develop their problem-solving skills. In emergencies, quick and effective problem-solving is essential, and students who have undergone CPR training are better equipped to solve problems in other areas of their lives. 

They learn to identify problems, gather information, analyze options, and choose the best solution. These skills can apply to many other areas of life, such as academics and future careers. By honing these skills, they can make better decisions, reduce stress, and achieve their goals more efficiently.

Greater Sense of Responsibility

CPR training provides an excellent opportunity for teenagers to develop a greater sense of responsibility. During the training, they learn how to identify and respond to life-threatening situations, making them more accountable for their actions. 

With this knowledge, they become more aware of their decisions’ impact on themselves and those around them.

In addition to helping teenagers become more responsible, CPR training can encourage them to become more proactive in their communities. 

As they gain knowledge and skills, they can become advocates for CPR training and other life-saving measures in their schools and neighborhoods. This can lead to a greater sense of civic responsibility and a desire to change the world positively.

Better Understanding of the Human Body

Learning CPR requires an understanding of the human body, including the function of the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. This knowledge can be valuable for students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare or biology. 

A better understanding of the human body can also lead to a greater appreciation for the complexity and fragility of life and inspire students to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Improved Teamwork Skills

Learning CPR can help teenage students develop teamwork skills and collaborate more effectively. Performing CPR often requires working in teams, with one person performing compressions and the other providing breaths. 

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Through this process, students learn to communicate effectively, cooperate with others, and coordinate their efforts to provide the best possible care for the patient.

These teamwork skills can be applied to many other areas of life, including school projects, team sports, and group assignments. For instance, students must learn to collaborate with their classmates to complete group assignments and projects.

Enhanced Job Prospects

In addition to being a valuable life-saving skill, CPR certification can also enhance a student’s job prospects. Many employers, particularly in the healthcare industry, require employees to hold current CPR certifications. 

Learning CPR as a teenager gives students a competitive advantage when applying for jobs in nursing, emergency medical services, and other healthcare-related positions.

CPR certification can open doors to other job opportunities that may not be directly related to healthcare. Many employers in various industries value employees with CPR certification as it demonstrates their commitment to safety. It showcases the willingness to learn and acquire new skills and the ability to handle high-pressure situations.

Increased Awareness of Healthy Lifestyle Choices

CPR training often includes information about healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercise and healthy eating. This can help students become more aware of the importance of maintaining good health. CPR training can inspire students to make healthier choices and better care for themselves and others.

Additionally, CPR training allows students to engage with healthcare professionals and learn from their experiences. They gain a deeper understanding of the healthcare system, its operation, and the importance of preventative care and early intervention. 

This knowledge can help them respond to emergencies and prevent them from occurring in the first place by taking preventive measures.

Greater Empathy and Compassion

CPR training allows teenagers to develop greater empathy and compassion toward others. Learning how to perform CPR exposes students to the critical need for a rapid and effective response during emergencies.

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Through the process, students learn to prioritize human life above all else and how to provide care and support to individuals experiencing a medical crisis. This can lead to a heightened sense of empathy towards others and the recognition of the inherent value of human life.

CPR training also helps students understand that every individual is vulnerable to a medical emergency and that a person’s life can be saved with the right skills and knowledge. This understanding can lead to a deeper appreciation of the importance of community, family, and social connections. 

It also fosters an increased sense of responsibility and accountability towards others, motivating students to become more engaged and involved members of their communities.

Wrapping Up

BLS and ACLS training is a crucial skill that can help you and your teenage students provide life-saving assistance during emergencies. A CPR training course can help you develop the skills and knowledge to handle a crisis confidently, assess the situation, and take appropriate action.
Whether you are a parent, teacher, or student, investing in CPR training can significantly impact your personal and professional development. Sign up for a CPR training course today at AMRI and equip yourself with the skills and knowledge you need to save a life potentially. We have so many courses available.

Slowchathealth would love to hear about how you incorporate CPR training in your classes. Share your experience and comments on social media using the hashtag #slowchathealth.