Apr. 30, 2019
Contributed by Ben Balberdi
Twenty-three students from Kamehameha Schools Maui were recently certified to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) through the high school campus’ Science and Natural Resources Academy – one of four academies offered by KS Maui that caters to a student’s career goals and interests.
KS Maui kumu Malia Panglao included the certification training in her class on Issues in Medicine to give students the ability to respond to medical emergencies, as well as bolster their resume as some jobs require a CPR certification.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), an estimated 70% of Americans do not know how to perform CPR while more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital annually.
The training aligns with a nationwide movement to increase the number of CPR-certified individuals by equipping students with this critical life-saving skill.
To date, 39 states and Washington, D.C., have passed legislation mandating that students receive CPR training prior to graduating high school. Although no bill has been passed in Hawai‘i, KS Maui joins a small number of schools that have offered the training to its students.
Learn more about how to become CPR-certified by visiting AHA’s website.