The Kansas State Department of Education School Transportation Safety Unit knows all about dealing with kids with bloody noses and upset stomachs. When you're responsible for transporting children you understand the importance of having trained, competent people. They also know if the worst should ever happen - a crash involving a school bus - every parent would want someone available who can administer first aid and manage the situation.

That's why in 1989 the School Transportation Safety Unit was looking for a new and better way to comply with CPR/first aid training regulations. Debbie Romine, one of the department's Safety Consultants, said the program they had been using wasn't meeting their needs as they expanded their training scope. They learned of the MEDIC FIRST AID program. After research and initial training, the program was adopted as one of the approved programs used statewide to train those responsible for transporting nearly 450,000 students.

Yearly CPR and first aid training is required in Kansas for all school bus drivers and for those transporting students in other vehicles. The MEDIC FIRST AID family of programs has met their training needs for the past eleven years. Whether drivers have been trained in the MEDIC FIRST AID Pediatric or the MEDIC FIRST AID Basic Mark IV program with an Infant/Child supplement, they are well prepared to cope with medical emergencies. CPR/first aid training is also available to classroom and administrative personnel upon request.

Many schools throughout Kansas have their own instructors trained to teach the programs to their staff members. They have been extremely cooperative in providing classes for their schools in the area who do not have instructors. If no instructors are available to teach when needed, schools may request one of the state department instructors to come teach a class. Schools may also request a class. One school blocks out two days immediately following the end of school each year to complete CPR/first aid and other training. All personnel are prepared when school starts up in the fall.

Debbie says one of the reasons she likes MEDIC FIRST AID training is that the methodology follows the same assessment guidelines as EMS. This consistency allows for greater continuity of care in an emergency.