The Problem
Understanding the critical gaps in healthcare education and emergency response that we're working to address.
U.S. Lags in Public Health Education
Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States falls behind many other developed countries in public health and first aid education. Only 10 states and Washington D.C. require CPR training for high school graduation, and comprehensive first aid education is not mandated in most school curricula.
In contrast, countries like Norway, Denmark, and Germany have made first aid training mandatory in schools and for driver's license applicants, resulting in bystander CPR rates as high as 73% compared to just 46% in the U.S.
Key Statistics:
- •Only 2.4% of the U.S. population receives CPR training annually
- •Less than 3% of Americans are trained in bleeding control techniques
- •Only 65% of U.S. teachers report feeling prepared to handle medical emergencies
Critical Minutes Lost
In emergency situations, the average response time for professional medical help is 8-14 minutes in urban areas and significantly longer in rural communities. Yet brain damage can begin within 4-6 minutes of oxygen deprivation, and severe bleeding can be fatal within minutes.
This gap between incident and professional response represents a critical window where immediate action from bystanders can mean the difference between life and death.
Lack of Preparedness
Less than 18% of the general public is trained in CPR, and even fewer know how to respond to other common emergencies like choking, severe bleeding, or allergic reactions. This knowledge gap is especially pronounced among children and teenagers.
Despite being present at many emergencies, young people are rarely equipped with the knowledge to help, creating missed opportunities for immediate intervention.
Healthcare Disparities
Access to healthcare education and emergency services varies dramatically based on socioeconomic status, geographic location, and other demographic factors. Communities with the least access to professional medical care are often those with the least training in emergency response.
This creates a dangerous cycle where the most vulnerable populations are also the least prepared to handle medical emergencies.
The Solution: Empowering the Next Generation
One Breath Ahead is addressing these critical gaps by bringing life-saving education directly to young people in schools and community centers. By teaching children and teenagers essential emergency response skills, we're creating a generation of prepared responders who can act during those critical minutes before professional help arrives.
The Impact of Our Work
of trauma-related deaths could be prevented with basic first aid skills
increase in survival rates when CPR is performed immediately
of emergencies happen in homes where children could be first responders