Body & wellness activity
Life Saver: CPR and Choking Response
Learn hands-only CPR compressions to the beat of 'Stayin' Alive', and the Heimlich for a choking friend. Practice on a pillow or plush 'patient'.
Materials and setup
- firm pillow or couch cushion for compressions
- stuffed animal for Heimlich practice
- timer or phone metronome at 100 BPM
- paper + laminator (optional) for Rescuer's Card
Parent note
Pre-K and Kinder skipped — the physical depth and strength required for effective compressions is unsafe to teach as a solo skill before ~age 7; earlier kids focus on 'Call 911 and find a grown-up'. This activity pairs directly with bw-070 and bw-071. A child trained here should absolutely be encouraged toward real in-person American Red Cross or American Heart Association certification — the manikins and instructor feedback matter. Certification meets Ohio's explicit first-aid requirement and is a genuine life-saving skill.
How this changes by age
Early elementary (ages 6–8)
Learn hands-only CPR compressions to the beat of 'Stayin' Alive', and the Heimlich for a choking friend. Practice on a pillow or plush 'patient'.
Steps
- Understand when: CPR is for someone who is UNCONSCIOUS and NOT BREATHING. If they are breathing, DO NOT do CPR — put them in the recovery position and call 911.
- The C-A-B check: Check for response (shout, shake gently). If no response: Airway (tilt head, lift chin), Breathing (look, listen, feel for 5 seconds).
- Hands-only CPR (for kids and adults, not infants): heel of hand on center of chest, other hand on top, arms straight, push down 2 inches, 100–120 times per minute.
- Beat-match to 'Stayin' Alive' by the Bee Gees — it's exactly 103 BPM. Practice on a firm pillow or couch cushion.
- Rule: keep going until help arrives, someone takes over, or the person wakes up. Don't stop to check.
- For CHOKING: if person can cough, let them cough. If they can't breathe/speak, do 5 back blows between shoulder blades, then 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) — fist above belly-button, other hand on top, pull up and in.
- Practice Heimlich on a stuffed animal or pillow held at waist height by parent.
- Build a Life Saver Card with: when to do CPR, compression rate, song, choking steps. Laminate and post on the fridge.
- Extension: research AEDs (automated external defibrillators). They're in many public places and talk you through every step — even kids can use one in a real emergency.
Learning objectives
- Identify when CPR is and is not appropriate
- Perform hands-only CPR compressions at correct rate and depth on a pillow
- Execute 5-and-5 back blows + abdominal thrusts for choking
- Recognize an AED and know it talks you through use
Upper elementary (ages 8–10)
Full CPR + choking + AED practical training. Author a rescuer's quick-reference card, run a simulated bystander response, and pursue real Red Cross certification.
Steps
- Review CPR science: when the heart stops, brain damage starts within 4 minutes without oxygenated blood. Compressions keep blood moving until defibrillation or breathing resumes.
- Master the full protocol: Check scene safety → check responsiveness → shout for help + send someone to call 911 AND grab AED → check breathing → 30 compressions + 2 rescue breaths (if trained) OR hands-only → continue until help arrives.
- Practice compressions on a firm pillow for 2 full minutes (this is exhausting — that's why teamwork matters).
- Learn infant CPR differences: 2 fingers (not hands) in center of chest, 1.5 inches deep, same rate.
- Learn AED use: turn on → follow voice prompts → attach pads → stand clear for shock → resume CPR.
- Learn choking variants: adult, child (age 1+), infant (back blows + chest thrusts, not Heimlich), pregnant or obese adult (chest thrusts, not abdominal).
- Run a 'bystander simulation' with parent as the victim and you as lone responder. Use a phone on speaker to 'call 911'. Grade yourself after.
- Write a 1-page Rescuer's Quick Card: C-A-B, compression rate + depth, rescue-breath ratio, choking variants, AED steps. Laminate. Carry in backpack.
- Teach a 15-minute mini-lesson to a younger sibling or friend using your Quick Card.
- Strongly consider real certification: American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers is rigorous but some communities offer junior versions; First Aid / CPR / AED for the Community is often available to ages 9+. Real certification is a legitimate resume item and meets Ohio's first-aid requirement.
- Extension: research Good Samaritan laws in your state — legal protection for bystanders who help in good faith.
Learning objectives
- Execute the full CPR protocol including scene safety and responsiveness check
- Perform compressions for 2 continuous minutes at correct depth and rate
- Differentiate infant, child, and adult CPR/choking response
- Use an AED by following voice prompts in a simulation
- Teach a mini-lesson using an author's own quick-reference card
- Identify legal protection under Good Samaritan laws
Safety and evidence note
Read the full activity before beginning. An adult should supervise tools, heat, food, outdoor work, movement, and experiments as appropriate. Completion records that the activity was done; the child’s explanation, work sample, photo, or demonstration is stronger evidence of learning than a completion check alone.
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