The American Heart Association provides Hands-Only CPR training equipment to Horry County Schools
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., September 26, 2026— Cardiac arrest can happen anytime, anywhere, and the actions taken in the first few minutes can save a life.
More than 350,000 people in the U.S., including 23,000 children, experience cardiac arrest each year, according to research from the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone, everywhere. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), especially when performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.
Efforts to train individuals in lifesaving techniques contribute to the growing community of Lifesavers in Horry County, emphasizing the importance of creating Lifesavers in Horry County.
To help build a Nation of Lifesavers in Horry County, the American Heart Association is providing CPR in Schools® With First Aid Training Kits to Horry County high schools. The initiative is sponsored locally by HTC. Kits have been delivered to Conway High School, Carolina Forest High School, Myrtle Beach High School, North Myrtle Beach High School, Loris High School, and the Academy for the Arts, Science, and Technology. The Heart Association plans to expand the program to additional Horry County high schools next year.
The American Heart Association is dedicated to creating a network of Lifesavers in Horry County, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and training in lifesaving skills.
“Thanks to the support of HTC, we are able to add hundreds of students to the Nation of Lifesavers in Horry County,” said Lindsay Pampani, American Heart Association development director, Myrtle Beach. “When more people know how to perform CPR, they are better prepared to respond in an emergency and help save lives. We are excited to continue expanding CPR education throughout our community.”
South Carolina law requires high school students to receive CPR instruction before graduation, including Hands-Only CPR and awareness of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The Heart Association’s CPR in Schools® With First Aid Training Kit helps schools meet the requirement by providing hands-on practice with manikins. Because the kits are reusable, they can train hundreds of students over multiple years.
“HTC is proud to support the Heart Association in their efforts to provide CPR training kits to schools in Horry County,” said Samantha Cherry, marketing coordinator, HTC. “Empowering students with CPR skills is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in community health.”
This initiative also supports South Carolina’s broader efforts to improve cardiac emergency preparedness in schools through the recently enacted Smart Heart Act, which strengthens cardiac emergency response planning and access to AEDs in schools.
To learn more about Hands-Only CPR, visit cpr.heart.org. To learn more about local American Heart Association events, visit heart.org/SouthCarolina
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
