ABSTRACT
A situation during my early teaching years made me realize how vital it is to be prepared for emergencies. While walking behind a line of students, one student suddenly dropped out of line, fell to the floor, and began to shake violently. Fortunately, I had some training in medical procedures and knew what to do. Would you? First, consider taking or organizing at your school a Red Cross First Aid and CPR course. Second, learn your school’s procedures for emergencies. If your school does not have a procedure, help to create one. When developing an emergency procedure plan, consider the following questions:
How will you call for help? Is there a classroom nearby where someone could hear you? What about on the playground?
Who determines whether an ambulance should be called?
How will other students or bystanders (potential gawkers) be removed from the area? Who assumes responsibility for them?
Who obtains emergency contact information and contacts the parents?
How will you direct the ambulance to the specific accident site? Precious time is lost when the ambulance driver or the attendants don’t know where to go. For accidents on the playground, station one person at the entrance to the school to direct the ambulance.
Where is the information on student allergies? Who gets those records and takes them to the accident site?
Who rides in the ambulance with the student? How does this faculty or staff person get home from the hospital?
