CPR in NY Schools Passes

 

 

To:                   BOCES District Superintendents

Superintendents of Public Schools

Principals of Public and Non-Public Schools

Charter School Leaders

 

From:              Mary Cahill

 

Subject:          Commissioner’s Regulations to Require Instruction in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the use of Automated External Defibrillators

 

 At the June meeting, the Board of Regents approved an amendment of the Commissioner’s regulations to require hands-only instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and instruction in the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in senior high schools. During the June meeting it was anticipated that the proposed amendment would be presented for adoption at the September 16-17, 2015 Regents meeting, after publication of a Notice of Proposed Rule Making in the State Register and expiration of the 45-day public comment period prescribed for State agency rule makings. At the September meeting, the amendment was approved and will take effect on October 7, 2015.

 

The regulation states that students in senior high school must be provided instruction in hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator.  The standards for this instruction should be based on a nationally recognized instructional program that utilizes the most current guidelines issued by the American Heart Association or equivalent organization.  The instruction should be designed to:

1. have students recognize the signs of a possible cardiac arrest and to call 911,

2. provide an opportunity to demonstrate compressions necessary to perform hands-only    CPR, and

3.  provide an awareness in the use of the AED.

 

The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross have established a program for instruction in CPR and awareness in the use of AEDs that can be delivered in one or two class periods. The instruction provided pursuant to Education Law §804-a, the instruction of hands-only CPR, does not require the instructor to be an authorized CPR/AED instructor because such hands-only instruction will not result in a course completion card. To meet this requirement, schools may choose from a variety of low cost and no-cost options that provide hands-only CPR instruction.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Education Law §804-c and 804-d, where approved by local school boards, school districts may continue to offer comprehensive CPR certification instruction at their discretion. However, in cases where districts do not offer such a course, all high school students will be required to receive instruction in hands-only CPR and the use of AEDs.

 

The American Heart Association provides numerous resources to help districts implement hands-only CPR and AED instruction.  These resources are available at https://yourethecure.org/aha/advocacy/details.aspx?BlogId=2&PostId=4139.

 

If you have any questions concerning hands-only instruction in CPR and AED in senior high school, please contact the Office of Curriculum and Instruction by email at emscurric@nysed.gov or by phone at 518-474-5922.