Richmond Hill High School receives CPR kit from American Heart Association

BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - The American Heart Association placed a CPR kit inside Richmond Hill High School, marking the first time the organization has donated the equipment to a Bryan County school.

The kit includes a basic CPR mannequin, AED trainers and other lifesaving equipment. The kit can train 10 to 20 students at one time.

“Really this is one of those trickle-down effects where one person learns, and they can teach someone else—that’s amazing,” said Rachael Mitchell of the American Heart Association.

Training students and athletes

The kit will be used to train students in healthcare and prepare student athletes in case of an emergency.

Kay Gros, a teacher at Richmond Hill High School, said the goal is to build confidence and readiness before a crisis happens.

“My hope is that we give them the confidence to go out—if we were to encounter an emergency, which I hope we never do—that they have the confidence to grab that AED and put their skills to use,” Gros said.

More than 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest each year. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival.

Community support

VyStar Credit Union supported the donation.

“We want to make sure that the schools, the people in our community, and our kids have that information—and the tools to practice and keep people safe,” said Luella Sanders of VyStar Credit Union.

A teacher does not need to be certified to lead the training. The American Heart Association has donated kits to schools across the Southeast. Mitchell said bringing one to Richmond Hill High, where students are already studying healthcare, is especially meaningful.

“There’s a lot of need, especially in our area, so being able to provide these really makes a difference,” Mitchell said.