CPR added to grad ‘to do’ list

Students across the state are now required to complete CPR training in order to graduate from high school.  

Milton Principal Mr. Andrew Rantz said that the CPR training was announced for this year’s seniors last year during a class meeting. He said CPR training became a requirement for the 2019-2020 school year, but it had been excused for last year’s seniors due to COVID-19 lockdowns. 

CPR training has become a requirement to graduate as per Act 7, said Mr. Rantz. He said it is a part of Health Class and its curriculum, but was disrupted from becoming a regularly practiced part of the curriculum due to COVID-19 lockdowns.  

Phys Ed Teacher Ms. Tonya Brosious is conducting CPR training. This training consists strictly of elements of chest compressions, said Mr. Rantz. 

Around 110 students took the CPR course this year, not including the seniors who had to come back and complete the course, said Ms. Brosious. She said the course is typically taken during 11th grade in Health. 

The training takes around an hour and a half to complete, she said, and added that it consists of teaching chest compressions, how to administer an AED and how to help a choking victim. 

Ms. Brosious said information from this training is meant to be used on friends or family in emergency situations. “It’s the basic knowledge someone might need if they’re the only one that knows how to do it,” she said.  

She said that if someone wants to be fully certified for all situations, go to the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Geisinger or Evangelical Community Hospital for more advanced instruction.