Should Schools Teach Students First Aid?   

• Introduction Schools teach algebra, history, and languages, yet some argue that these subjects are not enough. Many students graduate without knowing how to respond when someone collapses or starts bleeding. This raises an important question: Should first aid be taught to every student as a basic life skill? Constructive Debater 1 Loren First aid is one of the few school lessons that can save a life the same day it is learned. Requiring it in schools ensures all students gain a basic, practical skill, not just those with outside training. Several countries obviously see the benefits of doing so. England has mandated first aid instruction since 2020, treating it as essential as literacy. In the United States, many states now require CPR training before high school graduation, a policy tracked by the American Heart Association. Even brief lessons can help teens respond correctly and quickly, and save lives with confidence. Debater 2 Olivia Mandating first aid in schools may sound straightforward, but it may be more challenging to deliver effective instruction than you might think. Denmark has required lifesaving first aid in certain grades since 2005, yet reports show uneven implementation. A legal requirement does not ensure that trained teachers, class time, or proper equipment are provided. There is also the risk of superficial training. If students receive only brief or one-time instruction, they may overestimate their abilities, panic, or freeze in real emergencies. Without regular refreshers, skills fade, and misplaced confidence can undermine safety rather than improve it. Rebuttal Debater 1 Loren The Denmark example strengthens the case for teaching first aid by showing how such programs can be improved. A mandate should be paired with funding for teacher training, basic practice equipment, and regular refreshers. England’s approach offers a practical model by setting age-appropriate goals rather than treating first aid as a single advanced skill. Furthermore, schools can provide short, recurring lessons on CPR, choking, bleeding, and calling emergency services in existing health or homeroom classes to ensure students internalize the lessons. Debater 2 Olivia Even with funding, schools should be careful not to turn first aid into another high-pressure requirement. The point is to help students stay calm and do what they can until professionals arrive, not to perform perfectly. Some students feel uncomfortable around blood or injuries, and poorly run drills can worsen that anxiety. Training needs to be supportive, realistic, and clearly explained. If schools are not properly prepared, mandatory first aid classes could add stress without truly helping students to respond better in real emergencies. Judge’s Comments Both sides addressed the issue thoughtfully, but Loren was more persuasive by directly answering how first aid could be taught effectively in schools. Her practical solutions and real-world examples outweighed Olivia’s concerns about implementation and added stress. May For The Junior Times junior/1770274387/1613368104