LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read about four different teens who saved a life; identify and describe first aid procedures; describe specific actions that teens can take to promote community health and safety 

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 7: Demonstrate a variety of behaviors to avoid or reduce health risks to others.

CASEL COMPETENCY: Responsible decision-making; self-management 

KEY VOCAB

compressions, epinephrine, abdomen, tourniquet, despondent, empathetically

Lesson Plan: She Saved a Life. Could You?

If what you picture when you think of a “hero” is someone in a cape, think again: A hero could be just like you. Learn some simple skills that this month’s real teens used to save a life

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

How can I use or learn simple lifesaving skills to keep my family or community safe?

 CLOSE-READING QUESTIONS

  1. How can you tell if someone is having a serious allergic reaction? List at least two ways. Accept any two: They break out in hives; they feel tightness in their throat; they have trouble breathing.
  2. What are some signs that someone may be choking? List at least two signs. Accept any two: A person cannot breathe; a person cannot speak; a person cannot make sound; a person nods “yes” when you ask them if they are choking.
  3. If someone is badly burned, what is the best way to treat the burn? Run cool water on the burn for five minutes, and then cover the burn with gauze.
  4. In your own words, explain the meaning of the motto “See something. Say something.” This motto means that if you see signs that someone might be considering suicide, you should tell someone, such as a trusted adult.

 CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

  1. Why do you think that most people don’t intervene when there is an emergency? Possible answers: People may mistakenly assume that other people are going to act; people may be afraid they’ll make things worse; people may not be qualified to administer any life-saving care; people may be afraid they themselves will get hurt.
  2. In your own words, explain what it means to “trust your gut.” Confirm your understanding of this term using an online resource if necessary. Possible answer: Trusting your gut means to trust your inner feelings or intuition about when and how to act.
  3. Give an example of trusting your gut, either from your own experience or someone else’s. Tell why the decision was a difficult one to make and what the outcome was. Answers will vary. 

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

DIGGING DEEPER

NHES 2

CASEL Competency: Responsible decision-making 

Have your students dig deeper into human behavior during a crisis. THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE “BYSTANDER EFFECT” is an inquiry-based activity that will allow students to learn about this psychological phenomenon and how to combat it when appropriate. (Click here to find this Skill Builder.)

EXTENSION ACTIVITY

NHES 7

CASEL Competency: Responsible decision-making; self-management 

Have students research accessibility of PHYSICAL VS. MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID courses for teens. In this activity, they’ll consider why one type of course might be more prevalent than the other, and commit to learning more about at least one type of first aid. (Click here to find this Skill Builder.)

Text-to-Speech