Knowing CPR can be the difference between life and death in a cardiac emergency. The American Heart Association, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, is helping to ensure students know how to respond to a cardiac emergency. Together, they are providing 500 schools in Ohio with CPR training and resources.
Every year, approximately 350,000 Americans experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, often at home. Their survival depends on bystanders stepping in, calling 911, and beginning CPR until help arrives. When cardiac arrests happen at home, it’s usually up to the victims’ loved ones, like a spouse or child, to save their family member’s life.
The American Heart Association is training educators, giving Ohio high school teachers the ability to train their students in Hands-Only CPR. The Association is also providing educators with a curriculum and a CPR training kit. This training is offered virtually, in person, or through on-demand videos. Ohio law requires each public school that offers grades 9-12 to provide instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED) to all students. All public high schools in Ohio are entitled to receive training, curriculum, and resources, including a CPR in Schools Training Kit.
“Unfortunately, less than half of cardiac arrest victims who experience their event outside of a hospital receive bystander CPR,” says Amber Higbie, CPR in Schools Program Manager. “Survival rates are less than 12%. CPR can double or triple the chances of survival. And yet, so many die because those around them don’t feel empowered to intervene. In fact, 70% of Americans feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency. This initiative is working to help change that.”
Visit the project at heart.org/OhioCPRinSchools for more information on the kits and how schools can get involved.
