Arivat (Jan 17/07) - More than 100 senior students learned first aid and CPR skills at John Arnalukjuak high school in Arviat this past month.

Grade 9 to 11 academic math and science teacher Danielle Fitzgerald says the first aid and CPR course was offered to students in Grade 10-12.

Amy Komakjuak doesn't seem too concerned over the fact her mock victim, Palu Kadlak, seems to be having a hard time catching her breath during first aid and CPR training at John Arnalukjuak high school in Arviat this past month. - photo courtesy of Jay Thomas

She says first-aid certification is extremely valuable for students to have for their community practicum.

"A lot of the career and technology study courses require a student to have first aid before they're allowed to volunteer," says Fitzgerald.

"For example, in order to work at a construction site, or any non-government workplace, the students need to have first-aid certification.

"We felt it was a good idea to get them involved with first aid now, so that's why we brought instructor Ed Patten of St. John Ambulance in Yellowknife up to deliver the program.

A total of 103 students participated in the program, with about 70 per cent earning a passing grade.

Patten spent four days at the school instructing the 7.5-hour program.

The students had their choice of an oral or written exam at the end of the course.

Fitzgerald says the students really seemed to enjoy the training.

She says they found the course interesting and recognized the value of possessing the skills being taught.

"Some of it they already knew and they'll retain a lot of the new stuff they learned because so much of the course was hands-on training.

"You could tell they were really into the hands-on segments and really enjoyed participating in the program."

Fitzgerald says the next step for the school is to get two people in Arviat certified to instruct students in first aid and CPR.

She says if that can be accomplished, new kids coming into the school can learn first aid and CPR without the school having to pay to bring in an instructor.

"That way we'll be able to hold the course every semester and keep our students trained in first aid and CPR.

"We have tremendous support from all the teachers and the administration here at the school for the program."