More than 400 preschool teachers and facilitators in Pune have received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid training as part of a collaboration between Manipal Hospitals Pune and Little Millennium Preschools. The effort, which took place last month, intended to improve school emergency readiness by training instructors in fundamental lifesaving techniques. 

The training covered CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) skills, as well as practical instruction on how to respond to common situations such as choking, bleeding, fainting, cuts, and falls. Emergency care specialists led hands-on workshops to ensure that participants could practise and apply the skills on their own. 

Dr Nayantara Das, Head of Department and Consultant, Emergency Services, and Dr Abhishek Trivedi, Consultant, Emergency Services, both from Manipal Hospitals Baner and Kharadi, gave talks as part of the event. 

Child safety in schools is an increasing concern in India, with complaints of delayed emergency response leading to avoidable harm. In this context, training teachers, who are frequently the first responders to school-related incidents, fills a critical need in emergency preparation. 

Anand Mote, Cluster Director of Manipal Hospitals Pune, commented on the programme, saying, "Teachers are more than just instructors. They are the children's first line of care in their schools, acting as advocates and protectors. In a medical emergency, their ability to respond quickly and accurately might mean the difference between life and death. He also stated that such programmes allow instructors to act without fear amid situations. 

The seminars were held in Pune, with participants selected from Little Millennium Preschools throughout the city. The programme is part of a larger outreach drive called #HarSchoolEmergencyReady, which aims to expand training to schools nationwide. 

Prior to gaining CPR and BLS certification, each participant attended personalised practical training. They were also awarded the "CPR Champion" badge in appreciation of their preparedness. According to organisers, the training was designed to guarantee that teachers can respond successfully not only in the classroom but also in larger community situations. 

According to experts, India has a low level of first aid and CPR instruction in schools when compared to worldwide standards. While foreign health organisations suggest comprehensive community training, most Indian schools remain unprepared for medical emergencies. Programmes such as the Pune project, albeit limited, indicate a shift towards integrating health readiness into the education system. 

This programme focuses on teachers, who spend the most time with children, and covers an important but often forgotten public health requirement: rapid first response in situations before professional medical care arrives.