First Aid Escape Room: The Locked Kit
Teams must open a first-aid kit locked with a padlock by passing five hands-on first aid challenges set up around the gym; each challenge passed reveals one digit of the code. Students work on teamwork under time pressure and an applied review of what they learned this term.
How to play
- Setup (3 min): the teacher tells the story, a classmate is hurt and the first-aid kit is locked, and gives each team of 5 the first card.
- Challenge 1, CPR: 30 compressions at the right rate on the manikin, approved by the teacher; the digit is on the back of the card.
- Challenge 2, wrap: compression ankle wrap with an elastic bandage, checked by a team judge using a checklist.
- Challenge 3, call: dictate a complete 911 call without missing any information.
- Challenge 4, written case: put eight cards with the Check, Call, Care steps in order for a bike accident.
- Challenge 5, recovery position: roll a teammate into the recovery position in under 40 seconds; with all five digits, the team opens the lock (about 22 minutes total).
- Wrap-up (5 min): review together the mistakes that cost the most time.
Rules
- Walk between challenges; running in the gym adds a one-minute penalty.
- Compressions are done only on the manikin.
- Everyone takes part: a different person leads each challenge.
- If a challenge isn't passed, repeat it after getting feedback.
Variations
Easier
Give written hints at each challenge and use only four digits.
Standard
Five challenges in any order with a 25-minute limit.
Harder
Challenges go in a fixed order and a surprise multi-casualty challenge is added.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student leads the call or written case challenge and can be in charge of the lock.
- Visual impairment: provide large-print cards or have a teammate read them aloud.
- Lower fitness: rotate compressions every 15 within the CPR challenge.
Learning goals
- Apply several first aid skills under pressure.
- Cooperate by sharing responsibilities within the team.
- Review the Check, Call, Care sequence hands-on.
Equipment for a class of 25
- combination locks: 5
- first-aid kit: 5
- scenario cards: 25
- CPR manikins: 5
- elastic bandages: 5
Teacher tip
Prepare one lock and one set of challenges per team, with different codes so teams can't copy. Each team judge must be strict: if a skill is approved incorrectly, it's learned incorrectly.
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