DOH TRAINS STUDENTS IN ILOCOS REGION ON HOW TO CONDUCT CPR

THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region recently conducted a regionwide simultaneous mass cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Demonstration and Training for students in Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte.

The training, which was launched during the commemoration of the National CPR Day on July 17,  aims to improve emergency preparedness, raise awareness, and boost life-saving skills among the youth.

The activity, known as S.A.G.I.P. Program (S – Survey the scene and check the situation; A – Assess the victim; G – Get help, Call 911 or your local emergency hotline; I – Initiate chest compressions; P – Place Automated External Defibrillator (AED) pads if available), encompasses various health initiatives also taught students about first aid education.

Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said that the initiative brought together hundreds of students who were trained simultaneously in proper CPR techniques, reinforcing the importance of early intervention in cardiac emergencies.

“This is more than just a training—it’s a movement. By teaching students how to perform proper hands-only CPR, we are building a generation of first responders. Every student trained today is a potential lifesaver tomorrow,” she said.

“Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time, and often occurs outside hospitals, where immediate help is crucial. And a CPR, administered within the first few minutes can double or triple the survival rate of an individual,”  Sydiongco said.

The mass demonstration was led by certified CPR instructors from our health emergency management service and regional hospitals, supported by the Department of Education (DepEd) and partner organizations. 

Live demonstration of hands-only CPR, real-time instruction, and engagement via physical attendance were conducted. 

The DOH emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to integrate hands-only CPR training into school curricula and to meet long-term public health and safety goals. 

“Equipping students with CPR skills is as essential as empowering them to save lives during an emergency.” 

Sydiongco encouraged schools in the region to include CPR as a required component of their health education programs. 

“Parents, educators, and communities are also encouraged to advocate for continued support and expansion of CPR training for all our youth,” she concluded.