By the time students hit senior year at MICDS, they’ve studied a wide variety of topics across their curriculum. This year, they added a new subject: how to save lives using CPR, or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. CPR is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. The immediate application of CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest.
The class, scheduled during Advisory time this week, was the brainchild of Haylii Sondrol ’22, who was partly inspired by her own experience learning the technique. “I came up with this idea after taking lifeguard training over the summer and also hearing from a teacher about her needing to perform CPR in her adult life,” said Sondrel. “I believe it’s important as the seniors leave for college that they know how to perform CPR in case of emergencies that may occur in our adult lives. CPR while waiting for medical assistance drastically increases the chance of survival for a person.”
According to the American Heart Association, 475,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest each year, and more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital or clinical setting each year. Unfortunately, only about 46% of people who experience a cardiac event outside of a hospital receive immediate help before first responders arrive. This makes it imperative that as many people as possible know how to respond and perform CPR.
Sondrel researched the proper materials needed for training and the cost of supplies, then worked with school faculty to pitch and plan the CPR training. “Haylii approached me about it and I was happy to support both the student initiative and, more importantly, the recognition of how important CPR training is and what a great opportunity it would be for our students,” said Head of Upper School Scott Small. “CPR is such a meaningful skill (read: literally lifesaving) and accessible to everyone eager to be a positive force in the community, so I was very grateful that Haylii helped make this possible in collaboration with Mr. Coco.”
“I hope that this training will provide a basis for the knowledge of CPR for all the seniors, so they are well prepared for situations in the future!” said Sondrol.