CPR mandate will benefit community

The Iowa Legislature is back in session, and many times we cower in fear, dreading the damage they will do in the three months they are in session.

But sometimes, laws are passed which may seem silly or superfluous at the time of their passage, but actually end up doing some good.

Yes, it does actually happen.

Case in point: last year, as part of the Healthy Kids Act, a mandate was included that required all high school graduates to be able to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, better known as CPR, as a graduation requirement.

The Class of 2012 is the first to have to meet this mandate, and school districts are working to catch up. Starting this school year 2009-10 LCS ninth graders will take the CPR training class during their personal & family health class. LCS 10th graders will take the course in the spring to get the district on track.

Students learn CPR as well as how to operate an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED.

The district purchased five AED simulators and 15 CPR mannequins from the American Red Cross for use in the course. The $2,000 cost of this equipment was paid for with federal Safe and Drug Free Schools money that the district receives annually. Coming up with the funds to get the program started was a struggle, but the district reports that they will be able to maintain the equipment with existing funding.

To pass the CPR Training Class, students had to show proficiency in a skills test using a mannequin to show the steps of performing CPR on a victim from start to finish. They also needed to score 80 percent or higher on a written test that covers both CPR and the AED. The students have the option of becoming certified and have to pay $50 to retake the course, should they fail.

After the first session this fall, all 76 freshmen passed the course.

CPR is a skill we all should have. While we aren't happy that this was mandated, we are pleased with the end result.