Requirement Breakdown
- This requirement has been in effect since September 1983.
- CPR must be taught to all students enrolled in health classes in the tenth grade in Alabama public schools.
- CPR education does not need to cover all victim sizes (adult/child/infant) and does not require a hands-on component to training.
- Standards utilized in the instruction of CPR shall be those prescribed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
- Training must be done by an educator who is certified in CPR. If student training results in certification, the educator must be CPR instructor certified through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
Excerpts from Bill
(a) Effective upon the effective dates of this section, all students enrolled in health classes in the tenth grade in the public schools of Alabama shall receive instruction in the techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, hereinafter referred to as “CPR.”
Specific personnel within local school districts are required to receive training and be certified prior to providing classroom instruction.
Teaching materials and training courses provided by the American Heart Association and similar organizations may be utilized.
(c) All persons providing instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation shall be certified as CPR instructors by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
(d) Standards utilized in the instruction of CPR shall be those prescribed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
[Full bill]
Excerpts from State Board of Education
Are there any requirements as to the different subjects within CPR? For example, Adult/child/infant CPR, AED, first aid? No
The bill itself doesn’t stipulate that a hands-on component is required. Certification by default requires a hands-on test but what about schools that are not certifying their students? For example, could they simply watch a DVD? Yes
Do schools do this if they can’t afford manikins? Yes
What is required? All students must receive instruction in CPR but are not required to be certified. If schools do choose to certify the instructor must be with the American Heart or Red Cross.
[Full text]
Student CPR Programs that Meet This Requirement
Current Alabama legislation does not allow districts to use the certification program. Schools not certifying their students are welcome to use the StudentCPR resources for an awareness level program. |
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|---|---|---|
| Supplies Needed | Varies (optional) | Adult & Infant Manikin, AED Trainer |
| Initial Educator Training Time | 20-30 minutes | 4-5 hours |
| Online Course Time | 1 hour training, 20 minute test | 1 hour training, 20 minute test |
| Hands-On Time (per group) | Varies (optional) | 20-25 minutes |
| Certification Level | No certification | 2-year Community CPR Certification |
| Cost for Students & Evaluators | FREE | FREE (Not available) |