Los Angeles Rams Partner with American Heart Association to Train 22 Schools in Life-Saving CPR Techniques

The Los Angeles Rams have collaborated with the American Heart Association to equip local schools with essential cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training, targeting a critical public health challenge where nearly 90% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims do not survive.

In a comprehensive training session held at SoFi Stadium, representatives from 22 Los Angeles area schools learned vital emergency response techniques, with the goal of creating a network of potentially life-saving first responders among students, faculty, and staff. The initiative addresses a significant health concern, as cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of death among student-athletes, with approximately 23,000 individuals under 18 experiencing cardiac arrest outside hospitals annually.

The program provides each participating school with a CPR in Schools kit containing 10 Hands-Only CPR manikins and 10 AED training tools, enabling ongoing education and skill development. Five schools additionally received an AED device, further enhancing their emergency response capabilities.

This partnership aligns with the NFL's broader Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which advocates for evidence-based policies to prevent fatal cardiac incidents in high school settings. By focusing on immediate CPR intervention, the training aims to potentially double or triple survival rates during cardiac emergencies.

Compression-only CPR, or Hands-Only CPR, offers a straightforward approach that can be learned quickly and implemented effectively. The technique involves calling 911 and performing chest compressions at the center of a collapsed individual's chest, making it accessible to individuals with minimal medical training.

Rams Senior Director of Social Justice and Football Development, Johnathan Franklin, emphasized the organization's commitment to community health and education, highlighting the partnership's potential to empower local schools with critical lifesaving skills.

The training represents a proactive approach to community health, transforming students and educators into potential first responders capable of making critical interventions during medical emergencies. By democratizing emergency medical knowledge, the Los Angeles Rams and American Heart Association are working to create a more resilient and prepared community.