Oyster River Cooperative School District Rapidly Adopts McGregor Memorial EMS CPR SafeTM Program
Durham, NH - May 18, 2007 - The Oyster River Cooperative School District has adopted McGregor Memorial EMS' CPR SafeTM Program, and is working with McGregor to rapidly implement the program throughout the district by the start of fall classes. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among high-school students while participating in athletic programs, and kills 225,000 Americans of all ages each year. Demonstrating the Oyster River School District's continuing commitment to student safety, more than 75% of the Oyster River staff will be certified in Adult, Child, and Infant CPR and will be trained in the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Moharimet Elementary School has already implemented this program and is a CPR SafeTM school.
McGregor Memorial EMS is actively working with other schools throughout New Hampshire to help them exceed state requirements and recommendations. NH law requires that all students have access to CPR and AED trained personnel during school hours and school activities, and the NH Department of Education has issued an advisory paper advocating that as many school staff as possible be CPR and AED trained.
Recent studies confirm that CPR performed by the public, combined with public access defibrillation, dramatically increases the chance of survival following cardiac arrest. Many schools are now equipped with automated external defibrillators, but fewer than 40% of teachers and staff are trained to use these life-saving devices according to the American Heart Association.
What Makes a CPR SafeTM School?
- The school has made child health and safety a priority through staff professional development, day to day operations, student wellness education, and CPR certifications.
- At least 75% of the school staff is certified in Adult, Child, and Infant CPR and has been trained in the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
- The school is equipped with an AED which is easily accessible to all.
About McGregor Memorial EMS - McGregor Memorial EMS is a non-profit EMS agency based in Durham, NH, and has established the CPR Safe™ program in an effort to help schools meet and exceed New Hampshire state requirements. Already a leader in community and professional EMS education, McGregor’s new CPR SafeTM program is a school-friendly educational program designed to assist schools in training and certifying teachers and staff in American Heart Association CPR and AED use.
For more information please contact Nathan Duclos, CPR Manager, at 603.862.3674 or nduclos@mcgregorems.org.
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