New York Jets and American Heart Association Partner to Provide CPR Training and AEDs to New Jersey Schools

The New York Jets and American Heart Association have partnered to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator training to representatives from 12 local schools in New Jersey, strengthening community preparedness for cardiac emergencies. The training event, held at Mahwah High School, addresses a critical public health concern as American Heart Association data indicates nearly 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals do not survive, with lack of immediate CPR contributing to more than half of these fatalities.

Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, emphasized the life-saving potential of this initiative, stating that early recognition and action in cardiac emergencies represent the difference between life and death. The training's significance is amplified by statistics showing nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside hospitals occur in homes, making community-wide CPR knowledge essential for improving survival outcomes.

As part of this collaborative effort, the Jets are donating essential resources to participating schools, with each of the 12 institutions receiving a CPR in Schools kit containing 10 Hands-Only CPR manikins, 10 AED training tools, and curriculum materials. Three schools—Mahwah High School, Pascack Hills High School, and Northern Highlands High School—received actual AED units to enhance their emergency response capabilities. The training focused on Hands-Only CPR, a simplified technique involving calling 911 and performing chest compressions that can be as effective as traditional CPR during the initial minutes of cardiac arrest.

Jesse Linder, New York Jets vice president of Community Relations, expressed the organization's commitment to addressing cardiac emergencies through accessible training and equipment. This initiative aligns with broader sports community efforts to improve cardiac health outcomes, including The Smart Heart Sports Coalition launched by the NFL in collaboration with organizations like the American Heart Association. The coalition advocates for evidence-based policies across all 50 states to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students.

The urgency of such programs is underscored by American Heart Association reports indicating up to 23,000 people under age 18 experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest annually, with nearly 40% being sports-related. As the American Heart Association celebrates its centennial year in 2024, this partnership with the New York Jets represents progress toward empowering communities with life-saving knowledge and resources that strengthen the chain of survival during cardiac emergencies.