First Aid/Emergency Care 5-61

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 5-61

STUDENTS

First Aid/Emergency Care

1. Generally

   As mandated in the legal reference to this Policy each school in the School Division shall have in the building a minimum of three school employees that have a current certification or training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the Heimlich maneuver, emergency first aid, and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). If one or more students diagnosed with diabetes attend the school, two school employees must be trained in the administration of insulin and glucagon.

2. Procedural Guidelines
   1. Each principal shall determine the number of staff members who have successfully completed such courses.
   2. In those instances where there are fewer than two qualified staff members volunteers shall be solicited for training programs.
   3. Course fees and travel expenses related thereto for training and/or retraining will be paid by the School Board.
   4. Students, school staff and the central office shall be made aware of the identity of the individuals concerned.
   5. Principals may exercise discretion in providing compensatory free time from routine non-class duties for staff carried on their emergency team rosters.
3. Reports to the School Board

   The Superintendent shall advise the School Board when the School Division is in compliance with this standard for accreditation.

4. Life-sustaining Emergency Care
   1. School nurses and appropriately trained staff members, whose responsibilities include the provision of life-sustaining emergency care, shall take all reasonable steps to provide such care to any student on school grounds in need of life-sustaining, emergency care. Access to emergency medical services (rescue) shall be handled in accordance with the School Board policies and regulations and the Health Services Manual to secure prompt transportation of the student to hospital facilities.
   2. Minor students, whose parents, guardians, or physicians have indicated the student should not be resuscitated, or adult students who have indicated that they do not wish to be resuscitated will also be accommodated with life-sustaining emergency care and transported, if necessary, to a nearby medical facility. In all situations, and in accordance with School Board policy and/or regulations and the Health Services Manual, parents/legal guardians of minor students will be immediately contacted.
   3. For the purpose of this Policy, "life-sustaining emergency care" means any procedure or intervention applied by the school nurse or any appropriately trained school staff that may prevent a student from expiring who, without such procedure or intervention, faces a risk of imminent death. Examples of life-sustaining emergency care include (but are not limited to): efforts to stop bleeding, choking rescue, (Heimlich maneuver), rescue breathing, and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the administration of glucagon/insulin if one or more students is diagnosed as having diabetes attends such school. It will be the intent of school personnel to maintain the comfort level of the student while awaiting the arrival of emergency medical services (rescue).
5. Additional Procedures
   1. Written procedures to follow in emergencies such as fire, injury, illness, allergic reactions, and violent or threatening behavior. This shall include school board policies for the possession and administration of epinephrine in every school, to be administered by any school nurse, employee of the school board, employee of a local governing body, or employee of a local health department who is authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of epinephrine to any student believed to be having an anaphylactic reaction. The plan shall be outlined in the student handbook and discussed with staff and students during the first week of each school year.
   2. Space for the proper care of students who become ill.
   3. A written procedure, in accordance with guidelines established by the School Division, for responding to violent, disruptive, or illegal activities by students on school property or during a school sponsored activity.
   4. Written procedures to follow for the safe evacuation of persons with special physical, medical, or language needs who may need assistance to exit a facility.
   5. Written procedures informing staff that they are prohibited from recommending the use of psychotropic medications, as set forth in Code of Virginia §22.1-274.3, as amended, for any students.

Legal Reference

Virginia Board of Education Regulations, "Governing the Accreditation of Public Schools in Virginia" 8VAC20-131-260, as amended. School facilities and safety

Code of Virginia §§ 22-1-274.1, as amended. Criteria to identify toxic art materials; labeling; use in certain grades prohibited.

Code of Virginia §22.1-274.2, as amended. Possession and self-administration of inhaled asthma medications and epinephrine by certain students or school board employees.

Code of Virginia § 22.1-274.3, as amended. Policies regarding medication recommendations by school personnel.

Adopted by School Board: June 15, 1993 (Effective August 14, 1993)
Amended by School Board: July 19, 1994
Amended by School Board: January 8, 2002
Amended by School Board: April 30, 2019
Amended by School Board: October 8, 2024