Jumpstart a Heart
Partner with a local organization and host a one day CPR training course for teens and adults in your community. You never know when you might need to Jumpstart a Heart!
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in America. Each year about 350,000 Americans have heart attacks. Heart attack and cardiac arrest require immediate intervention with an automatic defibrillator or CPR. Immediate administration of CPR significantly increases the likelihood of survival. Unfortunately, only about 45% of people who have heart attacks outside of the hospital receive CPR. Although many adults have taken first aid classes, most people could use a refresher on the basic elements of CPR.
How do I get started? Form an organizing committee at your school and secure a venue. Then reach out to the Red Cross, your local fire department or another organization that teaches CPR to the public. Then advertise your event in the community, solicit sign ups and prepare for the big day. You'll be doing a tremendous service to the community, and you might even save a life. Read our PDF to get more helpful tips on how to start and execute this important project.
How long will this take? Between research, partnering, finding a venue and advertising and executing the event we estimate that the project will take between 20-25 hours.
How do I expand this narrative arc? If you’re interested in science and public health this is a great entree into community-based advocacy.
Partner with an adult expert on your advocacy issue and arrange to have him or her speak at your school, or to a group of engaged peers.
Become a Concussion Epidemiologist as you help implement a concussion baseline testing program in your school.
Help your school create or refine its concussion protocol through a Heads Up program.
HOT TIP: This is a great project for a teen who is interested in health, public health and community advocacy. It has the potential to make an enormous impact, and to raise your profile in the community.