Emergency Preparedness, Saving Lives A Student At A Time by Sarah

Emergency Preparedness, Saving Lives A Student At A Time by Sarah - August 2015 Scholarship Essay

The current high school curriculum in the U.S is focused around four core subjects: English, math, science, and social studies. As a result, students are well-prepared to handle situations related to these topics. However, when faced with a constricted situation such as an emergency, students often fail on following the best course of action. It is for this reason, and for the interest of American students, that Emergency Preparedness is added as a course. Learning to manage potential dangers to unexpected disasters will keep students safe, leading to a more secured future for the general public.

One of the greatest hazards to teenagers is motor vehicle accidents. Teaching the youth how to avoid distractions when behind the wheel can prevent a countless number of accidents from ever happening. Unfortunately, when misfortune does strike many teens are unaware on how to take control of the situation. The average time for 911 to respond is ten minutes. An emergency readiness class will first of all teach students when and when not to step in. Being able to evaluate the situation and quickly deciding what to do, such as moving someone that has been injured, can be critical in vehicle accidents. This class will also teach students how to preform CPR, so that students can help others in need.

Other skills that will be taught will range from choking to fire safety. It is one thing to see a poster on the cafeteria wall depicting the Heimlich maneuver, and another thing to actually execute the operation. Students will learn how to aid choking victims in class by using practice dummies, an ability that they will carry throughout their lives. Teaching students about safety in their own homes can prevent disaster. Knowing how to check and maintain electric wires and sockets can stop fires before they even happen. If students are ever in a fire they will have been prepared beforehand, knowing how to determine when the structure is sturdy enough to pass through or if they have to find another escape route.

Weather situations can cause dangerous situations as well. Students on the coast might have to deal with hurricanes. While coastal resident know about this type of storm weeks in advance many people neglect completing a sufficient supply kit. Teaching students about the importance of first aid kits, flashlights, batteries, and canned food will eliminate last minute panic. Knowing evacuation routes ahead of time will reduce traffic, allowing people to more quickly depart from dangerous areas. Students that live in the tornado belt of the United States will learn about the shelters they need to wait out the twister. These storms are more unpredictable, so students need to learn how to make snap judgments that can save lives.

Flash floods, deadly heat waves, and blizzards are just several of emergencies that regularly occur in the U.S. Even as access to technology increases, looking up how to handle the situation as it happens is too late. Knowing before the disaster occurs saves time, leading to a secure solution faster. Adding an Emergency Preparedness class to the high school curriculum can prevent devastating conditions, giving teenagers a life skill that will help them and the generations they touch.