Health Education for the Preadolescent: Basic First Aid Maw C.Parker. RN. MS
ABSTRACT Accidents are the leading cause of death and disability in the preadolescent age group. For this population, the State of California now recommends specific accident and emergency health education. This article discusses the American Red Cross’ se!f-paced Basic First Aid course which can meet the needs of the student as suggested and integrate the student-teacher-nurse in a health education experience profitable for all.
In 1977, the National Safety Council stated there were 6,818 deaths annually due to accidents in the 5-14 age group. About one-half of these were age 10-14. One-third of the total number of accidents were motorvehicle accidents. Accidents are also the leading cause of permanent disability in the preadolescent age group. According to the American Red Cross, those with first-aid training have a lower incidence of accidents and are more knowledgeable when an accident does occur. Preadolescent propensity for daring deeds, especially on bikes and skate boards, is well documented. At this age, there is a growing awareness of the functions of their bodies. The need to belong to a group or become part of the community is strong. To become part of a group, one needs to be able to participate in activities. Skills plus theory have a strong attraction for this age group. It is an ideal age to introduce a basic first aid course and an opportunity for the school nurse and teacher to present practical health instruction. The Framework for Health Instruction in California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, published in 1970, recommended that students at the intermediate and high school level be made aware of the concepts of safety and first aid measures. This was presented under the broad content area of “Environmental Health Hazards.” In the revised Framework, there is now a specific content area of health instruction entitled, “Accident Pre-
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266
vention and Emergency Health Services.” Under this content area, one of the concepts recommended for the preadolescent (9-11) is to “demonstrate the steps in providing basic first aid in life-threatening situations.” The new Framework reflects recent trends and developments which demonstrate a greater emphasis on the acquisition of skills for individual responsibility for one’s personal health. A higher priority is placed on (1) development of self, (2) wellness as a lifelong personal investment, (3) care for others for whom we are responsible, (4) service to the community, (5) human service for all people, including preventative and life saving measures . . . Other states have similar health instruction outlines. The American Red Cross Basic First Aid Course was revised in 1970. A fifth-grade reading level was chosen as the lower limit for development of course material. It was not specifically designed for 10-year-old children; rather, an attempt has been made to prepare easy-to-learn material that would not be insulting in tone to adults. There is no minimum age requirement for students; the course requires eight to ten hours, and the certifying card is valid for three years. The Basic First Aid course is comprised of four self-instructional texts divided into 20 lessons. After they complete certain lessons, the teacher conducts practice sessions on related skills. Each of the four texts presents basic information followed by test questions. The answer is given to each instructional question on the page following the questions so students can check their answers. The program has a “non-fail” intent which would serve to stimulate and encourage the less academically oriented student. Practice sessions should be in small groups of three or four students for short periods of time. The school nurse is able to provide professional expertise and an opportunity for personal contact with each student. Following successful completion of the course, the teacher notifies the Red Cross and each student receives a certifying card.
THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH
MAY 1979
There are no prerequisites for current professional school teachers to become basic first aid instructors; however, first aid experience would be beneficial. An orientation program of several hours is offered by the Red Cross to familiarize the teacher with materials available and requirements for student certification. The four instructional texts (English only) are available from the Red Cross at $3.95 per set. Texts may be used repeatedly by having students answer questions on a separate sheet of paper rather than writing in the text. Instructional charts (2’ x 3’) are available in a set of 36 ($6.80) for use by the teacher as excellent visual aids in teaching skills. The minimum equipment used in class can be procured by the students individually or provided by the teacher and kept for use in future classes. Equipment needed for each practicing pair of students includes: 2 cloth squares 36”x36” or 2 triangle bandages 1 blanket 2 magazines 4 strips of cloth 3”x36” (to tie splints) 1 towel, sweater or jacket (for splint pad) 1 strip of cloth 3”x72” (for roller bandage) By its very nature, the Basic First Aid Class is a useful tool to integrate the nurse-teacherstudent in a profitable health education program with immediate and future benefits for all.
REFERENCES 1. Accident Facts, 1977 Edition. National Safety Council. 2. Healrh Instruction Framework for Cafifornia Public Schools. California State Department of Education, 1978. 3. American National Red Cross Basic First Aid. 1st Edition. Doubleday, New York, 1971.
Mary C . Parker, RN, MS, Faculty, Health Science Department, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330.
ABSTRACT Accidents are the leading cause of death and disability in the preadolescent age group. For this population, the State of California now recommends specific accident and emergency health education. This article discusses the American Red Cross’ se!f-paced Basic First Aid course which can meet the needs of the student as suggested and integrate the student-teacher-nurse in a health education experience profitable for all.
In 1977, the National Safety Council stated there were 6,818 deaths annually due to accidents in the 5-14 age group. About one-half of these were age 10-14. One-third of the total number of accidents were motorvehicle accidents. Accidents are also the leading cause of permanent disability in the preadolescent age group. According to the American Red Cross, those with first-aid training have a lower incidence of accidents and are more knowledgeable when an accident does occur. Preadolescent propensity for daring deeds, especially on bikes and skate boards, is well documented. At this age, there is a growing awareness of the functions of their bodies. The need to belong to a group or become part of the community is strong. To become part of a group, one needs to be able to participate in activities. Skills plus theory have a strong attraction for this age group. It is an ideal age to introduce a basic first aid course and an opportunity for the school nurse and teacher to present practical health instruction. The Framework for Health Instruction in California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, published in 1970, recommended that students at the intermediate and high school level be made aware of the concepts of safety and first aid measures. This was presented under the broad content area of “Environmental Health Hazards.” In the revised Framework, there is now a specific content area of health instruction entitled, “Accident Pre-
’
266
vention and Emergency Health Services.” Under this content area, one of the concepts recommended for the preadolescent (9-11) is to “demonstrate the steps in providing basic first aid in life-threatening situations.” The new Framework reflects recent trends and developments which demonstrate a greater emphasis on the acquisition of skills for individual responsibility for one’s personal health. A higher priority is placed on (1) development of self, (2) wellness as a lifelong personal investment, (3) care for others for whom we are responsible, (4) service to the community, (5) human service for all people, including preventative and life saving measures . . . Other states have similar health instruction outlines. The American Red Cross Basic First Aid Course was revised in 1970. A fifth-grade reading level was chosen as the lower limit for development of course material. It was not specifically designed for 10-year-old children; rather, an attempt has been made to prepare easy-to-learn material that would not be insulting in tone to adults. There is no minimum age requirement for students; the course requires eight to ten hours, and the certifying card is valid for three years. The Basic First Aid course is comprised of four self-instructional texts divided into 20 lessons. After they complete certain lessons, the teacher conducts practice sessions on related skills. Each of the four texts presents basic information followed by test questions. The answer is given to each instructional question on the page following the questions so students can check their answers. The program has a “non-fail” intent which would serve to stimulate and encourage the less academically oriented student. Practice sessions should be in small groups of three or four students for short periods of time. The school nurse is able to provide professional expertise and an opportunity for personal contact with each student. Following successful completion of the course, the teacher notifies the Red Cross and each student receives a certifying card.
THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH
MAY 1979
There are no prerequisites for current professional school teachers to become basic first aid instructors; however, first aid experience would be beneficial. An orientation program of several hours is offered by the Red Cross to familiarize the teacher with materials available and requirements for student certification. The four instructional texts (English only) are available from the Red Cross at $3.95 per set. Texts may be used repeatedly by having students answer questions on a separate sheet of paper rather than writing in the text. Instructional charts (2’ x 3’) are available in a set of 36 ($6.80) for use by the teacher as excellent visual aids in teaching skills. The minimum equipment used in class can be procured by the students individually or provided by the teacher and kept for use in future classes. Equipment needed for each practicing pair of students includes: 2 cloth squares 36”x36” or 2 triangle bandages 1 blanket 2 magazines 4 strips of cloth 3”x36” (to tie splints) 1 towel, sweater or jacket (for splint pad) 1 strip of cloth 3”x72” (for roller bandage) By its very nature, the Basic First Aid Class is a useful tool to integrate the nurse-teacherstudent in a profitable health education program with immediate and future benefits for all.
REFERENCES 1. Accident Facts, 1977 Edition. National Safety Council. 2. Healrh Instruction Framework for Cafifornia Public Schools. California State Department of Education, 1978. 3. American National Red Cross Basic First Aid. 1st Edition. Doubleday, New York, 1971.
Mary C . Parker, RN, MS, Faculty, Health Science Department, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330.
