Students practicing chest compressions on CPR training mannequins during Duke University's statewide training event

North Carolina Trains 19,000 People in CPR in Single Day

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More than 19,000 North Carolinians learned CPR in one day through a statewide initiative led by Duke University. Though they missed the 30,000-person world record, organizers called it a massive win for community safety.

Over 19,000 people across North Carolina learned how to save a life in just one day, and organizers say the real victory isn't about breaking records.

Duke University School of Medicine partnered with schools and organizations statewide on February 26 to teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation to as many people as possible. The ambitious goal was to train 30,000 people and break the Guinness World Record held by India's Saveetha University since 2016.

While North Carolina fell short of the record, the event equipped nearly 20,000 residents with skills that could save someone's life. Each participant completed 100 chest compressions in one minute, learning the techniques that can make the difference between life and death during cardiac arrest.

In Asheville alone, three schools trained over 500 students. Public sessions at Pack Square Park opened the training to community members of all ages. The timing held special meaning for western North Carolina, still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

North Carolina Trains 19,000 People in CPR in Single Day

"Building that resiliency and building the capacity of our younger population to be engaged in making western North Carolina into a safer, more productive place," explained Buncombe County school officials. Teaching young people these skills strengthens entire communities for whatever challenges come next.

The effort matters because cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. When someone performs CPR immediately, before first responders arrive, survival rates jump significantly. More trained hands in the community means more lives saved.

The Ripple Effect

North Carolina already requires students to learn CPR before graduating high school, ensuring the next generation is prepared for emergencies. This single-day event accelerated that mission, creating thousands of newly trained responders across the state in just hours.

The training coincided with American Heart Month in February, spotlighting both heart health and emergency preparedness. What started as a world record attempt became something more valuable: a safer, more prepared North Carolina where neighbors can help neighbors in critical moments.

Nearly 20,000 people now carry lifesaving knowledge they didn't have before, and that's a record worth celebrating.

Based on reporting by Google News - World Record

This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.

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