Back to School Means More Kids Learning CPR in Vermont:

Schools are meant to prepare students to contribute to their communities. And they are doing just that in Vermont.

The American Heart Association helped pass a law requiring Vermont schools to teach Hands-only CPR as part of health education in schools. This means, each year in Vermont, a new batch of kids will leave school ready to save a life.

If your school is looking for information on how to implement Vermont’s CPR law, please share these resources:

The American Heart Association offers video based courses/kits in Hands-Only CPR that can be easily led by a facilitator such as a PE or health teacher and don’t require certification.  These courses are:

• Family and Friends CPR Classroom Course -- an instructor lead course (can be led by teachers/others who aren't CPR instructor certified) and takes less than an half an hour
• Family and Friends CPR Anytime Course -- a self-contained kit with a mini mannequin and DVD which is self-guided (takes 22 minutes).  
• Schools can turn to AHA training centers, fire or rescue depts. in their area to see if a local instructor would be willing to come and teach the students or loan manikins to the school for use along with the video based courses.
• To find AHA classes and training centers, people can access the American Heart Association’s CPR Class Locator to find a class near their school or on-line or call 1-877-AHA-4CPR.
• Contact AHA Emergency Cardiovascular Care staff with questions on training:

• George Murphy, Community CPR Manager – 617-293-7425, [email protected]
• Michael Dickinson, ECC Account Manager -- 214-706-2201, [email protected]

• Contact AHA Government Relations Director with questions about the law:

• Tina Zuk, Govt. Relations Dir. – 802-288-8305, [email protected]
  
  

Other training options/resources:

• The Department of Education has ten of the American Heart Association’s CPR Anytime kits available for schools to use in its school resources library.
• Schools can call their local fire or rescue dept.
• Call one of Vermont’s EMS district offices.
• Vermont Department of Education, Lindsay Simpson, Physical Education Consultant
• Vermont Department of Health, Sharonlee Trefry, School Nurse Consultant
• Matt Vinci, Vermont Professional Firefighters
• Chris Bell, State EMS Director
• Jim Finger, Vermont Ambulance Association