OCALA, FL (352today.com) — HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital announced they are partnering with the American Heart Association to empower students across North Central Florida with lifesaving CPR skills by providing training equipment to high schools in Marion County.

“At HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Alan Keesee, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “This program helps equip students with skills that can save lives and prepares them to feel confident about helping in an emergency.”

Each year, more than 350,000 people in the United States experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, providing precious time for medical professionals to arrive.

Funded through a grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation and with the support of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, Marion County high schools will receive the American Heart Association’s CPR in Schools Training Kits.

“We are thankful to the HCA Healthcare Foundation for its support of our CPR in Schools initiative,” said Shelby Bobbett, American Heart Association senior director for North Central Florida. “Knowing how to respond in a cardiac emergency can be the difference between life and death, and we are excited to add the Marion County school community to the Nation of Lifesavers.”

The American Heart Association’s CPR in Schools Training Kit enables students to learn and practice lifesaving skills with a manikin in just one class period. The reusable kits can train thousands of people over time.

“This donation reinforces our shared commitment to student safety and life-saving education. It supports hands -on CPR instruction in our public high schools, ensuring students are better prepared with critical skills that can make a life -saving difference in emergency situations,” said Danielle Brewer, EdD, superintendent of Marion County Public Schools. “These efforts, along with thanking teachers for their impact on students, underscore the importance of this community partnership we have with HCA Florida Healthcare.”

To learn more about CPR, visit cpr.heart.org.