Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation and American Heart Association Empower Schools with Lifesaving CPR and AED Training

The Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, has taken a significant step towards enhancing emergency preparedness in Duval County public schools. Twelve schools have now received comprehensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training, a move that could dramatically increase survival rates in cardiac emergencies. The training, which took place at Mandarin Oaks Elementary School, focused on compression-only CPR, a technique proven to be effective in the critical first minutes following a cardiac arrest.

Statistics from the American Heart Association highlight the urgency of such initiatives, with nearly 90% of individuals suffering cardiac arrest outside of hospitals not surviving, often because of delayed CPR. The immediate application of CPR can double or even triple a person's chances of survival. This initiative not only provides the necessary training but also ensures that schools are equipped with CPR in Schools kits, including 10 Hands-Only CPR manikins and 10 AED training tools per school, with three schools receiving additional AED equipment.

This effort is part of a broader movement to safeguard young lives, particularly in the context of sports activities, which account for nearly 40% of the approximately 23,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests experienced by individuals under 18 annually. The initiative aligns with the NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition's goals to implement evidence-based policies preventing fatal cardiac outcomes among high school students.

Michael Carnahan, Jaguars senior manager of community impact, underscored the foundation's dedication to youth development and safety. This partnership not only fosters community resilience but also ensures that faculty, staff, and coaches across the participating schools are prepared to act swiftly and effectively in medical emergencies. The trained representatives from each school are now poised to disseminate these critical lifesaving skills throughout their campuses, marking a pivotal advancement in community health and safety.