"Now that I know what to do, I can help:" Oak Creek High School students learn CPR

OAK CREEK -- A bill was introduced in the state Legislature this past fall, seeking approval for CPR training to be required as part of the health curriculum at schools across the state. Students at at least one high school in southeastern Wisconsin are already learning the life-saving skill.

In the Oak Creek High School wrestling gym on Monday, December 14th, there was some special training going on. The freshman were learning hands-only CPR.

"Studies have found that the chest compressions are the most effective and most important part of CPR, that you can circulate that blood throughout the body until first responders can arrive and take over," said Lt. Scott Kasten with the Oak Creek Fire Department.

The American Heart Association says that 1,000 people a day suffer a cardiac arrest in the United States. Of those witnessed by a bystander, fewer than half receive CPR before an ambulance arrives, making the patient's survival rate drop.

"Some CPR is better than no CPR," said Lt. Kasten.

CPR training is vital. It's meant to give these Oak Creek High School students the skills to intervene in the event of a medical emergency.

"Now that I know what to do, I can help them and prevent them from something fatal happening," said Cameron Hyatt, Oak Creek High School freshman.

CPR training would be required as part of the health curriculum at public schools across the state, under a bill in the Legislature.

"We hope, ultimately, that they never have to use CPR, but if they do, that they think back and they remember what they learned here today,"said Lt. Kasten.

Oak Creek High School made hands-only CPR part of their health curriculum three years ago. Nearly 1,000 students have been trained.

At least 27 other states already mandate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in their schools.