Illinois High Schoolers Could Be Required To Learn CPR

When I was in high school (Go Benet Redwings!) it was a requirement in our physical education class that everyone become certified in CPR. I don't recall it being the highlight of the year. Nobody much cared for breathing into a mannequin. However, when all was said and done all of us were capable of saving a life.

Now there's a push in Springfield to make such training mandatory for all high school students. In addition, defibrillator training also would be required. The bill already has passed the House by a large margin and could be called for a vote in the full Senate soon.

Despite what appears to be a large base of support, there are problems. In case you haven't heard, the state is broke:

"There's no money for school districts to pay for such training, however. Burke suggests that local fire departments provide lifesaving lessons for free, as organizations like the Red Cross and American Heart Association already do.

But a group representing school boards throughout the state is opposed, saying the well-intentioned measure would amount to "another unfunded mandate," given the state's precarious financial situation."

A group representing school boards across Illinois is opposed to the bill based on the lack of funding from the state to pay for this type of training.

Something else to think about is the "continuing education" aspect. If you don't use that knowledge or refresh what you've been taught about CPR how long will it stay in your brain? In my case it didn't take long to forget. Admittedly I'm better prepared today (17 years after the fact) than if I had no training at all; I still remember bits and pieces. But I would have to believe a majority of the students taught in this manner will end up like me. The question might be, "Is that good enough?"