TL;DR
Getting your school staff First Aid and CPR certified is easy. Modern online courses can help get your entire staff trained and in compliance. Having the entire staff trained is an essential part of creating a safer school environment. Our group training program makes it fast and easy for everyone. In an emergency, seconds count. Having a staff trained to respond to medical emergencies can help save a life.
Group First Aid and CPR Certification Training for Your School Staff
If you’re a school administrator, you know how difficult it is to get everyone together for training. If your staff is required to maintain their certifications, managing compliance can be a nightmare.
The good news is….. Whether you need Basic CPR, First Aid, Healthcare Provider BLS, or a combination of First Aid and CPR, we make it easy. Our online course format lets everyone take the class at their convenience, on their own schedule.
There are no logins to manage, no usernames or passwords. We send everyone a link. Users can click the link and take the class. It’s that simple. The class can be completed on any computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Group discounts are available.
Every Second Counts at School
Schools should be safe places where children learn, play, grow, and spend a significant portion of their day. Unfortunately, medical emergencies can happen without warning. A student may choke during lunch, have a severe allergic reaction, or suffer an injury on the athletic field. A teacher or staff member could suffer a heart attack.
In those critical first few minutes, school staff members are often the only ones available to assist until emergency medical services (EMS) arrive.
That’s why First Aid and CPR certification is essential. Training school staff is one of the most valuable investments a school can make in the safety of its students, staff, and visitors.
Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, coach, school nurse, bus driver, or office employee, knowing how to respond during an emergency can truly make the difference between life and death.
Why First Aid and CPR Matter in Schools
Medical emergencies happen each and every day in schools across the country. Possible emergencies include:
- Choking emergencies
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
- Asthma attacks
- Seizures
- Diabetic emergencies
- Falls and playground injuries
- Sports-related injuries
- Cuts, burns, and broken bones
- Heat illness during outdoor activities
Some of these emergencies can quickly become life-threatening without immediate action. Knowing what to do in an emergency can easily help save a life.
Why Every Staff Member Should Be Trained
Every second counts in an emergency. That’s why it is essential to make sure as many people as possible are trained. In the time it takes for someone to run and get help, a life can be lost. Medical emergencies like an obstructed airway (choking), anaphylaxis, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest require immediate action. Many people assume only nurses or coaches need CPR certification. In reality, emergencies rarely happen when the “right” person is standing nearby.
The possibility of multiple people being injured makes it essential that more people be trained to provide assistance. Especially on a large campus where there could be multiple medical emergencies in different locations.
When the entire staff is trained, schools become safer because someone capable of responding is more likely to be nearby in the event of an emergency. First Aid and CPR training also helps reduce hesitation and gives staff members the confidence to act quickly during high-stress situations.
Is CPR Certification Required for School Staff?
The answer depends on the state, school district, and employee’s job responsibilities.
Many states require CPR certification for certain positions, including:
- School nurses
- Athletic coaches
- Physical education teachers
- Athletic trainers
- Childcare staff
- Special education staff working with medically fragile students
- Bus drivers
Even when certification is not mandated, many school districts strongly encourage or require First Aid and CPR training for all employees. Requirements can also vary for private schools, charter schools, and childcare programs.
What Does First Aid and CPR Training Cover?
Our comprehensive CPR/AED/First Aid Certification Course will teach your staff how to recognize emergencies and provide quality care until EMS or professional responders arrive.
Topics included:
CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants
Your staff will learn how to:
- Recognize cardiac arrest
- Perform high-quality chest compressions
- Provide rescue breaths
- Call 911 and activate EMS
AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
Immediate CPR and defibrillation within 3-5 minutes will give someone the best chance of survival.
Our AED training includes:
- How AEDs work
- When to use one
- Safe operation
- Coordinating CPR with AED use
Choking Emergencies
Relieving a foreign body airway obstruction for:
- Adults
- Children
- Infants
- Conscious and unconscious victims
Basic First Aid Skills
These include:
- Bleeding
- Burns
- Cuts
- Bites
- Sprains
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke
- Fainting
Medical Emergencies
These include:
- Asthma attacks
- Diabetic emergencies
- Seizures
- Allergic reactions
- Shock
- Poisoning
Athletic Programs Carry Additional Risks
School athletics naturally increase the likelihood of injuries and medical emergencies.
Coaches may face situations involving:
- Head injuries
- Broken bones
- Severe bleeding
- Heat stroke
- Asthma attacks
- Allergic reactions
- Sudden cardiac arrest
Many states require coaches to maintain current CPR certification because they are often the first adults to respond during athletic emergencies.
CPR and First Aid Training Builds Confidence
One of the biggest reasons people don’t help during emergencies is fear.
Many worry they’ll:
- Make the wrong decision
- Hurt someone
- Forget what to do
- Panic
Quality First Aid and CPR training reduces uncertainty and helps build confidence. School staff members who have trained are much more likely to step in and provide assistance rather than freezing during an emergency. (Department of Medicine)
How Long Is CPR Certification Good For?
Both First Aid and CPR certifications are valid for two years from the date of completion. It is important to make sure your staff is up to date with their certifications. Even when compliance is not an issue. It is essential that your team is familiar with the latest guidelines and procedures for performing CPR, providing First Aid, and using an Automated External Defibrillator.
We can help create a program that keeps your entire staff certified, as well as any new hires during the school year.
Choosing the Right Course
Not sure which class you need? Contact us, and we can help you navigate through the options. The most common certifications are:
- CPR/AED/First Aid Certification
- Healthcare Provider BLS Certification
- Basic First Aid Certification
- CPR/AED Certification
- Bloodborne Pathogens Certification (required for nurses)
Develop an Emergency Action Plan
In an emergency, it’s important to have a coordinated and effective response. Having everyone trained is a great start. But having everyone work together as a team is equally important. Having a list of tasks to be performed in an emergency can be extremely beneficial.
Typical tasks during an emergency:
- Call 911/Activate EMS
- Get the AED
- Retrieve the First Aid Kit
- Get additional assistance from trained staff
- Wait outside for EMS, then guide them to the victim
- Document the incident
Final Thoughts
Emergency preparedness isn’t only about having AEDs, emergency action plans, and first aid kits. It’s about ensuring your school staff is trained to use them.
When teachers, administrators, coaches, and other staff members are trained together, schools become better prepared for the unexpected.
Getting your staff certified is easy. Modern certification classes make it simple for both the school staff who need to be certified and administrators who manage compliance.