Boothbay Region High School has received an American Heart Association CPR in Schools kit. Subway restaurants all across Maine worked from February to May to raise $23,000 to put kits in as many schools across the state as possible.

“Subway and The American Heart Association want to help all Maine schools learn life-saving skills,” said Crystal Brown, assistant marketing director for Maine Subways. “Sandwich artists in all our 119 locations asked customers at the point of purchases to donate a $1 or round up the sale.”

Through their initiative “Help Make CPR in Maine Schools Cool,” Brown said all funds collected will stay in Maine.

Towle Tompkins, executive director for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association in Maine, said the kit BRHS received will be able to train 10 students at a time in hands-only CPR and defibrillator use.

“Our hope is that as each Maine high school student is trained, the survival rate of people suffering cardiac arrests will increase dramatically,” said Tompkins.

Among the contents of the kit are 10 inflatable mannequins, a hand pump for mannequin inflation, 10 kneel mats with carry bags, 10 training DVDs, and 10 replacement face masks along with storage bags, carry bags, wipes, replacement airways, and a guide.

“We are excited about working with the community — hands-only CPR saves lives!” said Brown. “Subway and the AHA are truly helping save lives one school at a time.”