CPR Training for Children
While most experts agree that CPR training should be available to high school students, some debate surrounds the question of whether CPR should be taught to children under the age of 15. A study by the Medical University of Vienna in Austria looked at children's cognitive and physical abilities as they relate to CPR performance, and concluded that children 9 and older have the cognitive ability to learn and understand CPR though they may not have the strength to effectively perform it.
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Ability to Learn
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The first question often asked when deciding whether or not to teach kids CPR is whether they have the cognitive abilities to understand and perform it. Studies, such as the one in Austria, have shown that kids over the age of 9 are smart enough to learn and retain the procedure. Four months after training, 86 percent of the 147 kids in the study were able to perform CPR correctly.
Limitations
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Nearly 90 percent of children ages 10 and 11 were not big or strong enough to adequately depress the chest of a CPR mannequin, according to the study by the Medical University of Vienna. This statistic is slightly misleading, however, because many adults also lack the strength for adequate chest compressions, according to Lifesaving Resources.
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Considerations
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The arguments against training children in CPR, particularly in schools, are that training is costly, it takes time away from other studies and it uses resources that could be applied toward training more capable adults.
In addition, most programs will certify only children over the age of 15, so a young child would need to be retrained before being granted a certificate.
Benefits
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While children may lack the weight and strength to effectively apply chest compressions, some experts argue that they should be trained anyway. Adults usually better retain information they have first learned as children, according to Lifesaving References. Another argument for training is that if no one else is around when a victim's heart stops, a child performing CPR, even inadequately, is better than no one doing anything at all.
Where to Get Training
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Some schools offer CPR training to children either as a part of their physical education or health classes. Older children can learn CPR through Red Cross training or as part of lifeguard and water safety classes offered at many pools and the YMCA. Babysitting certification courses offered by many hospitals, fire and police departments, and other service groups also may train older children in CPR.
If your area offers no CPR training for kids, talk to your school principal and local Red Cross-affiliated organizations.
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References
- Photo Credit cpr head to head image by paul mitchell from Fotolia.com
