First Aid and CPR Activities for PE
PE is a natural home for first aid lessons: it's hands-on, there's room to move, and students already think about how the body responds to exertion. Start with the basic emergency action steps: make sure the scene is safe, call 911 and get an adult, then help the person. From there, students can practice checking for responsiveness and breathing, the recovery position, hands-only CPR on manikins, choking response and basic care for cuts, bumps and sprains.
Match the content to the age group. K–2 students learn how to get help, how to call 911 and their home address; grades 3–5 practice the emergency action steps, the recovery position and simple wound care; middle and high schoolers can do hands-only CPR at 100 to 120 compressions per minute, often to the beat of a song, plus choking response and AED trainer practice. Short role-play scenarios keep everyone more engaged than a lecture.
First aid and CPR: Middle School (ages 12–16)
First aid and CPR: High School (ages 16–18)
Drag any activity into a warm-up, main activity or cool-down, run the class timer from your phone and track SHAPE America standards per class.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can students learn CPR?
Even kindergartners can learn to recognize an emergency and call 911. Chest compressions on a manikin take some strength, so they're usually taught from around fifth or sixth grade, though younger kids can practice the rhythm and sequence. Many states require CPR instruction in high school, so check your state and district requirements and repeat practice every year.
Do I need to be certified to teach CPR in PE?
It's wise to hold a current first aid and CPR certification and to follow the latest guidelines from recognized health organizations, since protocols get updated periodically. Some schools bring in local EMS or the school nurse for a hands-on session. Class practice builds awareness and confidence, but it doesn't replace an accredited certification course for students.
How do I run CPR practice without enough manikins?
Set up stations: while one group practices compressions on the manikins you have, others work through emergency scenarios or practice the recovery position with a partner. Homemade trainers made from plastic bottles and a T-shirt let students practice hand placement and rhythm. Students never practice real compressions on each other.