In the United States, 350,000 individuals pass away from cardiac arrest each year. Less than half of spectators step in to do CPR that could save a life. The American Heart Association and the Duke Energy Foundation have teamed up to train thousands of new lifesavers who will soon be stationed in Pasco and Citrus County schools and prepared to provide CPR and first aid kits as needed.
The American Heart Association, with assistance from a $50,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, will help schools within Duke Energy Florida’s service area in providing required CPR training to ninth- and eleventh-grade students, as well as recommending fundamental training in first aid and CPR for all students every two years starting in sixth grade. This comes just in time for students and staff to return to the classroom.
“We know that 70% of cardiac arrest events that happen outside of the hospital happen at home”, “Hands-only CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. By teaching students this lifesaving skill, we’re making this community safer for everyone.”
Amanda Palumbo, executive director of the American Heart Association Tampa Bay
Students, instructors, and staff should be aware of how to assist in an emergency, according to the American Heart Association and Duke Energy Foundation. Schools have been provided with simple-to-use CPR and first-aid kits that include lesson plans, training DVDs, and AED training simulators. These kits will aid in teaching students the lifesaving techniques of CPR, how to operate an AED, and how to assist in emergencies relating to sports.
The American Heart Association will be able to provide targeted in-person trainings in Pasco and Citrus counties and support countywide improvement of cardiac emergency response plans thanks to the support of the Duke Energy Foundation. This will help decrease cardiac arrest-related deaths in school settings.
“Safety is at the forefront of everything we do at Duke Energy”, “We are proud to work alongside the American Heart Association to provide additional CPR kits to middle and high schools throughout our service areas. Together, we are equipping teachers, students and staff with the skills and means to save lives and keep our communities safe.”
Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president.
Anclote High School, F.K. Marchman Technical, Gulf High School, J.W. Mitchell High School, Sunlake High School, Zephyrhills High School, Wendell Krinn Technical High School, Paul R. Smith Middle School, Chasco Middle School, Bayonet Point Middle School, Gulf Middle School, Seven Springs Middle School, Charles S. Rushe Middle School, and R.B. Stewart Middle School are among the schools that will receive CPR kits from the Duke Energy Foundation grant during the 20
