With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of the hospital occurring in homes, knowing how to perform CPR is critically important[1]. CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival[2].
That is why the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, and Rochester Regional Health are adding lifesavers to the chain of survival by providing Hands-Only CPR education resources through CPR in Schools™ Training Kits. Tuesday, the American Heart Association and Rochester Regional Health presented 15 kits to the City of Rochester. The kits will be used at rec-center locations.
The CPR in Schools Training Kits enable participants to learn the lifesaving skills of CPR in one sitting. Plus, the kits teach automated external defibrillator (AED) use and choking relief. Each kit can train hundreds of people.
This collaboration is an expansion of the work the American Heart Association and Rochester Regional Health are doing in the community. In addition to the kits going to the rec-centers, an additional five kits will be placed throughout the Rochester community.
“Rochester Regional Health is proud to collaborate with the American Heart Association to provide Hands-Only CPR kits to schools,” said LeKeyah Wilson, MD, VP of Community Engagement and Social Impact for Rochester Regional Health and 2026 Rochester Heart Walk & Run chairwoman. “Every minute counts in a cardiac emergency, and giving students the skills to save lives is just as essential as any lesson taught in the classroom. Empowering our schools with the tools and knowledge to respond makes our communities stronger—and we’re here for it.”
“Unfortunately, too many sudden cardiac arrest victims don’t get the help they need,” said Megan Vargulick, executive director of the American Heart Association in Rochester. “Knowing how to respond in a cardiac emergency when seconds matter can be the difference between life and death. Thanks to support from Rochester Regional Health, we will be able to add hundreds of students to the Nation of Lifesavers, so they can respond in those crucial first moments after cardiac arrest.”
“Hands-Only CPR is quick, simple, and it saves lives,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Through the HEARTSafe Initiative, we’re making sure more Rochester residents have the training and confidence to step in when seconds matter. I thank Rochester Regional Health and the American Heart Association for their collaboration in bringing these lifesaving skills into our community.”
Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective in the first few minutes as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public[3]. For more information on Hands-Only CPR, visit cpr.heart.org.
[1] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001123?utm_campaign=2023stat-update&utm_source=heart&utm_medium=link&utm_content=statshome
[2] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001052?utm_campaign=2023stat-update&utm_source=heart&utm_medium=link&utm_content=statshome
[3] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001052?utm_campaign=2023stat-update&utm_source=heart&utm_medium=link&utm_content=statshome