USA Health has donated funding to help train the next generation of lifesavers by funding CPR in Schools Training Kits that will train Daphne High School students and their families. More than 400,000 people suffer out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest each year. The American Heart Association is working to improve this number.
Change starts with helping people feel more confident in their abilities during an emergency situation. The USA Health donation will train thousands in the community with the skills needed to respond. The kit was presented to the faculty and students at Daphne High School on Jan. 20.
"Nationally, each hour 38 people experience a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital setting and, tragically nine out of 10 will not survive," said Christin LeBoeuf, American Heart Association Executive Director. "The simple act of learning CPR can transform health outcomes for our community. We are thankful for the support of USA Health."
Because of the alarming statistics, all Alabama seniors are required to receive hands-only CPR instruction prior to graduation. That mandate is unfunded, however. The donation from USA Health will provide Daphne High School with resources that can assist in fulfilling the CPR graduation requirement.
"As the region's only academic health system, one of our responsibilities is to train people in health care delivery," said Gary Mans, USA Health associate vice president of marketing and communications. "We are excited to partner with the American Heart Association to help teach young people in our region some of the early basics in delivering life-saving healthcare."
Studies have shown that students are capable of learning and effectively performing CPR. It has also shown that trainees, including students of 12 years or older, can achieve acceptable levels of proficiency in hands-on CPR in 30 minutes or less. By teaching CPR to middle and high school students, a generation of lifesavers can be created. These CPR in Schools Training Kits will teach thousands of students the skills that they can use should they find someone in an emergency situation.
The CPR in Schools Training Kit empowers students to learn the core skills of CPR in under 30 minutes, and it teaches AED skills and choking relief. The kit includes everything teachers need to properly educate students: an instructional video, facilitator's guide, mannequins and a mannequin pump, knee pads, replacement parts and sanitizer.
For more information about the CPR in Schools Training Kits visit cpr.heart.org.