Eight members of the St. Mary’s First Aid Club recently completed official First Aid, CPR, and AED certification through the American Red Cross at Yokota Air Force Base. The certification covers infant and adult CPR, automated external defibrillator use, and basic first aid skills. The certification is valid for two years.
The students who earned the certification were Ty T. (11th), Yuto T. (11th), Yunseong O. (11th), Amon N. (11th), Seojune L. (10th), Tyler D. (11th), Keita K. (10th), and Ryunosuke Y. (10th).
The training was organized by nurse Bingham, the First Aid Club advisor. She explained that many students in the club are interested in medicine, but the main purpose was for more than just that. “First aid and CPR are life saving measures,” Bingham said. “It’s great to have certified people because there can always be an emergency.”
Before attending the in person class, students had to complete online American Red Cross training modules and provide proof that they passed them. They then traveled to Yokota Air Force Base on May 4, a school day off, for hands on training with an instructor. During the session, students practiced how to respond when someone is injured, bleeding, unconscious, or in need of CPR. They also learned how and when to use an AED.
The achievement is significant for the First Aid Club because, this is the first time St. Mary’s students have completed this type of certification together as a club. While some students may have received similar training individually in the past, this was the first club effort.
Bingham said the certification helps raise awareness about first aid and emergency readiness within the school community. Having trained high school students on campus could be very valuable.
Although only eight students were able to attend this time, Bingham hopes more students will have the opportunity next school year.
This is a big accomplishment because the students earned official Red Cross certification and learned real skills that could help them respond in an emergency.
