Jaguars Foundation Equips Duval County Schools with Critical CPR Training

Twelve Duval County public schools are now better equipped to respond to cardiac emergencies following a comprehensive training initiative by the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation and the American Heart Association. The program aims to empower school staff with life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) skills.

During a training session at Mandarin Oaks Elementary School, representatives from participating schools learned critical emergency response techniques. The initiative addresses a significant public health concern: nearly 90% of people experiencing cardiac arrest outside hospitals die, often due to delayed or absent CPR intervention.

The training utilized a train-the-trainer format, enabling school staff to bring these vital skills back to their campuses. Each of the 12 participating schools received a CPR in Schools kit containing 10 Hands-Only CPR manikins and 10 AED training tools, with three schools additionally receiving an AED device.

This effort aligns with broader national initiatives like the NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which seeks to implement evidence-based policies preventing cardiac-related fatalities among student-athletes. The American Heart Association reports that approximately 23,000 individuals under 18 experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrests annually, with nearly 40% occurring during sports-related activities.

Compression-only CPR, or Hands-Only CPR, can be performed by virtually anyone and is equally effective in the initial minutes of an emergency. The technique involves calling 911 and then performing rapid, hard chest compressions, potentially doubling or tripling a person's survival chances.

Michael Carnahan, Jaguars senior manager of community impact, emphasized the program's significance in youth development and safety. By providing practical training and resources, the initiative aims to create a network of prepared individuals who can respond effectively during critical medical emergencies.

The participating schools include Andrew Robinson Elementary, Biscayne Elementary, Central Riverside Elementary, and others, representing a comprehensive approach to community-wide emergency preparedness.