CPR in Schools: A Life-Saving Skill Every Student Should Learn Before Graduation
Should CPR Be a Graduation Requirement? Mandatory CPR Training in Schools Amid Rising Cardiac Arrest Rates. Cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of mortality in the United States, with significant occurrences among individuals aged 40 to 80. Immediate intervention through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can drastically improve survival rates. This article advocates for the integration of mandatory CPR training in Georgia's middle and high school curricula to equip students with essential life-saving skills, thereby enhancing community health outcomes. Introduction Sudden cardiac arrest is a critical public health issue, accounting for approximately 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) annually in the United States, with nearly 90% of them being fatal (Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, 2022). The survival rate for OHCA remains low, underscoring the need for immediate bystander intervention. Implementing mandatory CPR education in Georgia's schools could play a...