West Hill Elementary

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Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Giovanni's
1354 East State Street
Sharon, PA 16148
724-308-6817

Today Multiple agencies in Mercer county collaborated to teach about responding to an emergency and heart healthy lifesaving skills to students in grades K-6 in the Sharon City School District. Students in grades 4-6 learned hands -only CPR.



The students learned to call 911, to open the airway, check for breathing, circulation and perform CPR hands only on a manikin. It is important for your child to know their address and phone number.



Here are some items for you to review at home.

1. The Three C's: Basic Emergency Response

Teach children these three steps to follow when they encounter a potential emergency:


CHECK:

Check the Scene: Is it safe? Look for fire, traffic, or wires. Never put yourself in danger.
Check the Person: Gently tap their shoulders and ask loudly, "Are you okay?".
CALL: If the person doesn’t answer or is badly hurt, call for help immediately.

Dial 911: Practice making the call on a cell phone.
Know the Info: Children must know their home address and how to describe what happened.
CARE: Provide basic reassurance and stay with the person until an adult or paramedic arrives.

2. Heart-Healthy Lifesaving Skills

While some children may not have the physical strength for full adult CPR, they can still learn essential components:

Hands-Only CPR (Ages 7-12):

Place one hand on the center of the chest with the other on top.
Push "hard and fast" to the beat of a song like "Stayin' Alive" (approx. 100-120 beats per minute). Or the Baby Shark Song.
AED Awareness: Teach kids to recognize the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) symbol and understand that the machine "talks" and gives instructions on how to use it.
Choking (Heimlich Maneuver): Older children can learn to recognize the universal sign for choking (hands at the throat) and how to perform back blows or abdominal thrusts.

3. Teaching Methods for Kids

Use Props: Practice chest compressions on stuffed animals or dolls to make it less intimidating.
Role-Play: Create scenarios (e.g., "Grandpa won't wake up") where they must practice checking the scene and calling 911.
Keep it Positive: Focus on the idea that they are "Little Heroes" who can make a difference by staying calm and calling for help.

Resources for Educators and Parents

American Red Cross: Offers age-appropriate storybooks like "Prepare with Pedro" and the "Monster Guard" app.
American Heart Association (AHA): Provides classroom resources and a Spotify playlist with songs that have the correct beat for CPR.
Nemours KidsHealth: Provides first-aid guides specifically written for young readers





A special Thank You to the partners involved in bringing this event to our school goes to :AHN Grove City, Buhl Regional Health Foundation , Sharon Regional Health System A Tenor Health Foundation Hospital, UPMC Horizon, UPMC Jameson, Elite EMS, McGonigle Ambulance, and Staying Alive.



Here is a video to review with your children.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOGAl5CrJw8&list=RDzOGAl5CrJw8&start_radio=1