New York Jets and American Heart Association Partner to Boost CPR Training in Local Schools

In a significant move to enhance community health and safety, the New York Jets and the American Heart Association (AHA) have collaborated to provide critical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training to representatives from 12 local schools. The event, held on November 6 at Mahwah High School in New Jersey, marks a crucial step in empowering more individuals to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies.

The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated. According to AHA data, nearly 90% of people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital do not survive, partly due to the lack of immediate CPR. The training provided by this partnership aims to address this alarming statistic by increasing the number of individuals capable of performing CPR in emergency situations.

Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the critical nature of early recognition and action in cardiac emergencies. "When seconds matter, it is important to have people nearby who are confident and capable to begin administering CPR," Brown stated. This event is part of the AHA's broader mission to ensure that everyone, everywhere is prepared to perform CPR, thereby strengthening the chain of survival in communities.

The initiative's impact extends beyond the training day. Each of the 12 participating schools received a CPR in Schools kit, which includes 10 Hands-Only CPR manikins, 10 AED training tools, and curriculum materials. This equipment will enable schools to continue training students, faculty, staff, and parents, creating a ripple effect of lifesaving knowledge throughout the community. Additionally, three schools - Mahwah High School, Pascack Hills High School, and Northern Highlands High School - received AEDs, further enhancing their ability to respond to cardiac emergencies.

The collaboration between the New York Jets and the AHA aligns with the NFL's broader commitment to cardiac health and safety. Last year, the NFL launched the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, advocating for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. This initiative is particularly crucial given that cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death for student-athletes, with as many as 23,000 people under 18 experiencing cardiac arrest outside of hospitals annually.

Jesse Linder, Vice President of Community Relations for the New York Jets, highlighted the team's commitment to this cause. "The Jets are excited to partner with the American Heart Association to provide resources for local communities to address cardiac emergencies," Linder said. "Access to CPR training and AED units is critical to saving lives."

The impact of this initiative extends far beyond the 12 schools directly involved. By increasing the number of individuals trained in CPR and AED use, the program creates a network of potential lifesavers throughout the community. This is particularly significant given that nearly 75% of cardiac arrests outside of hospitals occur in homes, underscoring the importance of widespread CPR knowledge.

As the American Heart Association celebrates its centennial year in 2024, this partnership with the New York Jets represents a continuation of its century-long commitment to improving heart health and saving lives. By focusing on CPR training and AED accessibility, the initiative addresses a critical need in community health preparedness, potentially saving countless lives in the years to come.