In 2025, the Lucas Law will mark 10 years since its passage by the São Paulo State Legislative Assembly. Born out of the grief of a family that lost a child in a school accident, the law made it mandatory to include first-aid training in the curriculum of public and private educational institutions throughout the state.

This initiative, a first of its kind in Brazil, was a watershed moment in accident prevention in school settings and has already had a direct impact on the lives of thousands of children, teachers, and staff members. Proper training enables quick and effective action to be taken in critical situations, significantly increasing the chances of survival.

Accidents are the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 14 in Brazil. Data from ALESP* show that, each year, more than 3,300 children die from accidental causes, while another 112,000 are hospitalized in serious condition. Despite the severity of these incidents, 90% of them could be prevented through simple preventive measures and education.

Drowning and suffocation: one of the biggest threats to children

Among the leading causes of accidental death in childhood are drowning and suffocation** (choking); airway obstruction can be caused by food, small objects, or even stomach contents. These scenarios highlight the urgency of a rapid and appropriate response.

The Lucas Law aims to empower the school community to recognize signs of an emergency, respond assertively in such situations, and call SAMU immediately, as well as to administer first aid correctly until specialized help arrives.

The RCP Game Arena at Bett Brasil Highlights the Importance of the Lucas Law

Laerdal Medical, a global supplier of patient simulators for medical skills training, will be participating in Bett Brasil, Latin America’s largest event for innovation and technology in education. The company will support the CPR Game Arena, an interactive, gamified activity designed to train participants and raise their awareness of the importance of the Lucas Law.

The goal of the project is to raise awareness among teachers and staff about the importance of being prepared to provide first aid when necessary and knowing how to respond in emergencies—both technically and emotionally—in cases of drowning, choking, bleeding, fainting, or cardiac arrest; every second is precious when it comes to keeping a person alive.

The activity will allow visitors to learn, in a hands-on and fun way, how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and airway clearance on infants, children, and adults. Using state-of-the-art technology, the simulators will help participants master the techniques and experience situations that can save lives.

About the Lucas Act

Enacted in 2015, Law No. 16,802/2018 (known as the Lucas Law) requires all educational institutions in São Paulo to provide first-aid training to their staff, equipping them to respond to emergencies until specialized medical care arrives. Learn more about the Lucas Law here.

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*Sources:The law that turned a family’s grief into actions that save thousands of lives marks its 10th anniversaryandUnderstanding Accidents