American Heart Association Awards 32 Schools CPR Training Grants to Double Cardiac Survival Rates

Life-Saving Initiative Reaches Students Across 20 States

The American Heart Association has awarded Nation of Lifesaver grants to 32 high schools and colleges across 20 states, including Washington D.C., in a bold effort to transform students from bystanders into life-savers. According to American Heart Association data, 9 out of every 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, in part because they do not receive immediate CPR more than half of the time. To help change this, the American Heart Association has awarded 32 Nation of Lifesaver™ financial grants to American Heart Association Heart Clubs at high schools and colleges in 20 states, including the District of Columbia.

These grants represent a strategic investment in campus safety, providing schools with the tools and training needed to respond effectively during cardiac emergencies. These grants will make it easier for students and educators across the country to learn CPR and strengthen the Association's nationwide movement to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030. The initiative specifically targets student-led Heart Clubs, recognizing the power of peer-to-peer education in creating lasting change.

American Heart Association Heart Clubs are student-led organizations on high school and college campuses, empowering members to lead activities that support physical and mental well-being while making a meaningful impact in their communities. This approach ensures that life-saving skills become embedded in campus culture rather than remaining confined to formal training sessions.

Tailored Resources for Different Educational Levels

The grant program recognizes that high schools and colleges face different challenges and opportunities when implementing CPR training. For colleges, the Nation of Lifesaver grants include funding for two CPR in Schools Kits, complete with manikins and training materials, and $500 to facilitate CPR training on their college campus. This package gives college Heart Clubs immediate access to professional-grade equipment and the financial resources to organize comprehensive training events.

High school recipients receive more comprehensive support designed to create systematic change. Each selected high school Heart Club may receive a combination of resources and funding totaling $4,500 to create a safer school environment through activities providing card-credentialed CPR First Aid AED training. This substantial investment reflects the unique position high schools occupy in building foundational life skills that students will carry into adulthood.

The high school grants also emphasize advocacy and policy change. Programs advocate for school and state-level policies that expand access to CPR and AED training and empower young leaders to strengthen the chain of survival and build a culture of preparedness. This dual focus on immediate training and long-term systemic change positions students as both learners and leaders in the movement to improve cardiac emergency response.

Building a Chain of Survival Beyond Campus

The impact of these grants extends far beyond school boundaries, creating ripple effects throughout entire communities. Research demonstrates that CPR training in educational settings produces graduates who carry these skills into diverse situations. Programs have trained and certified nearly 2,000 individuals — including high school students, staff, and community members — in comprehensive emergency response programs, and graduates of such initiatives have saved numerous lives.

Real-world applications of school-based CPR training highlight its practical value. Students have used the Heimlich maneuver to save choking children, bus drivers have revived people experiencing cardiac arrest in public spaces, and students have successfully performed CPR on restaurant patrons who suffered heart attacks. These examples illustrate how classroom learning translates into community-wide safety improvements.

The timing of this grant announcement aligns with broader federal initiatives supporting cardiac safety in schools. Recent legislation like the HEARTS Act demonstrates growing recognition that educational institutions play a crucial role in building national preparedness for cardiac emergencies. By investing in student-led programs now, the American Heart Association is positioning young people to become advocates for expanded cardiac safety measures throughout their lives.

Preparing for a Safer Future

The Nation of Lifesaver grants represent more than equipment and training—they embody a fundamental shift toward proactive emergency preparedness. The Association's Nation of Lifesavers initiative is committed to turning a nation of bystanders into lifesavers, with the long-term goal to ensure that in the face of a cardiac emergency, anyone, anywhere, is prepared and empowered to perform CPR and become a vital link in the chain of survival.

As these 32 schools implement their grant programs throughout the coming year, they will create models for other educational institutions nationwide. The combination of hands-on training, advocacy work, and community engagement offers a comprehensive approach to cardiac emergency preparedness that could reshape how schools approach safety education.

The success of these programs will ultimately be measured not just in the number of people trained, but in the lives saved when trained individuals encounter cardiac emergencies. With proper preparation and community-wide commitment to CPR education, the goal of doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030 moves from aspiration to achievable reality.