You know all those jokes and memes about the real-life application of trigonometry or hyper-specific science facts we learned in school? Their point is that schools should aim to teach more stuff that is actually useful once kids grow up and get to adult life. Well, among other useful life skills, such as taxes and basic self-care, first aid and CPR should absolutely be taught, starting as early as primary school. 

First aid and CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, are practices that empower ordinary, non-medical people to help an injured or impaired victim, potentially saving lives. While modern emergency response services can get to the place of incident in very little time, there are still situations when civilians knowing basic life saving techniques can make the difference between life and death. 

Why Not Teach CPR to Kids?

Some studies have shown that young kids simply do not have the physical strength to perform the necessary movements effectively. CPR is performed on victims who are not breathing and/or do not have a heartbeat via mouth-to-mouth breathing and vigorous chest compressions to simulate the workings of the heart. Kids who do not yet have a lot of upper body strength or weight will understandably struggle to deliver the amount of pressure necessary to resuscitate a grown adult. 

However, there are plenty of skills included in the scope of first aid and CPR that can help in a crisis situation. Sometimes, simply knowing to stay calm and call 911 is all it takes to save a life, and this is definitely something that a young child can do — if they are prepared and instructed to do so. Additionally, knowing the process of CPR in theory at a young age lays the path towards the development of practical ability with maturity. 

Basic LIfe Saving Skills

CPR is not the only skill that saves lives, and there are plenty other crucial first aid topics that can be taught to kids as young as primary school. Awareness and recognition of a crisis situation is a big one — simply being able to know that help does not come naturally. Kids must be taught to know the signs of cardiopulmonary struggle, internal injury, and sudden onset illness. 

Another significant skill involves the safe handling of blood and other bodily fluids, as well as immediate treatment of wounds. Knowing the importance of disinfection, knowing what substances and tools to use when encountering potential contamination is key to preventing multiple hazards and endangerments for both victim and bystander. 

And what about EPI pens? More than half the U.S. population suffers from allergies, and a significant number can have severe, even life-threatening allergic reactions. When this happens, the victim might not have time or ability to find and administer their EPI pen, so whoever is around them is responsible for doing so. Knowing how to do this is a simple matter of awareness and education. All of the above information is worthy of school curriculums.