Over the course of two days the week of March 20, seniors in Mrs. Marks' anatomy and physiology class received their certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Richard Lamphier, a nurse from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, instructed the class and supplied the CPR dummies for the students to use as practice.
This is the second year that seniors have been offered this opportunity through the anatomy and physiology class. The CPR course follows the units on cardiology and respiration.
"Last year, I took the review CPR course that Whitefield offers to all of its teachers," said Mrs. Marks. "After the course, I talked to the instructor about teaching the CPR course to my A&P class. He was very enthusiastic, since many times these kids are in situations where someone may need help (around grandparents, at sports events as players and spectators, at parties, etc.)."
Once the students receive their certifications, the class continues to review CPR the rest of the year.
"This is a skill that needs to be rehearsed," said Mrs. Marks. "We frequently discuss the different steps and how to respond to different situations. We review the ways to do the chest compressions - how many, how fast, when to breathe, the procedure for calling 911, etc."
The next assignment is for the students to locate all of the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) around school and submit pictures of themselves with the machines. They are then assigned to find two community AEDs and submit pictures of themselves with them and a description (i.e. at the Smyrna Library, in the Publix, etc.). The goal is to help the students continue to be aware of AEDs in general in case of an emergency.
Mrs. Marks hopes that teaching the basics of CPR to seniors will give them practical skills to carry with them as they prepare to live on their own after high school.
"We have discussed places and scenarios where they may be around people who need help and what to do in various situations," said Mrs. Marks. "Recognizing when CPR is needed is important, and having the training to do so is vital."
This is the second year that seniors have been offered this opportunity through the anatomy and physiology class. The CPR course follows the units on cardiology and respiration.
"Last year, I took the review CPR course that Whitefield offers to all of its teachers," said Mrs. Marks. "After the course, I talked to the instructor about teaching the CPR course to my A&P class. He was very enthusiastic, since many times these kids are in situations where someone may need help (around grandparents, at sports events as players and spectators, at parties, etc.)."
Once the students receive their certifications, the class continues to review CPR the rest of the year.
"This is a skill that needs to be rehearsed," said Mrs. Marks. "We frequently discuss the different steps and how to respond to different situations. We review the ways to do the chest compressions - how many, how fast, when to breathe, the procedure for calling 911, etc."
The next assignment is for the students to locate all of the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) around school and submit pictures of themselves with the machines. They are then assigned to find two community AEDs and submit pictures of themselves with them and a description (i.e. at the Smyrna Library, in the Publix, etc.). The goal is to help the students continue to be aware of AEDs in general in case of an emergency.
Mrs. Marks hopes that teaching the basics of CPR to seniors will give them practical skills to carry with them as they prepare to live on their own after high school.
"We have discussed places and scenarios where they may be around people who need help and what to do in various situations," said Mrs. Marks. "Recognizing when CPR is needed is important, and having the training to do so is vital."