School Bus Emergency Drill: A Learning Module

The School Bus Emergency simulation Learning Module was originally implemented as a final exercise to the schools Teen SERT program. Providing training is only one step in preparing students to assist in important, and often high-stress situations where the skills they have learned, such as first-aid and CPR are needed. Simulations such as this one can be an extremely effective tool in putting together a comprehensive student and school safety program. In this drill, not only do students practice their skills, but in doing so gain the confidence that they can perform in a real situation. In a majority of situations, bystanders are the first on the scene of an accident, with their training students can both administer first-aid as required as well as provide detailed life-saving information to emergency personnel before they arrive. The more accurate information emergency crews have prior to arriving on the scene, the more effective they can be in saving lives.

This module centers on a simulated school bus accident. You can alter the nature and severity of the drill as needed. The advantage of the school bus scenario is that it gives your students a larger number of "victims" to assess and treat, allowing all students to be involved in the triage process and using their skills in the situation. This module allows for a great variety of cross-curricular links due to the large number of areas the situation covers, from health to physics and even the performing arts. This can easily be a project that involves large numbers of students. (authors)