FRUITA, Colo. (KKCO)_Less than 8 percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive. And less than one third of all those people are given CPR by a bystander.

Now one local group is hoping to increase those numbers by teaching every middle and high school student in the valley CPR.

The National Heart Association says that if effective bystander CPR is provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, a person's chance of survival double and in some cases triples.

On Tuesday, Fruita Monument High School students were given hands on instruction on how to identify cardiac arrest, how to keep the heart beating with chest compressions and how to breath for someone in that situation.

The classes called "PULSE" or Preventing Unnecessary Life Loss through Education, are being taught by Professional EMS Education. The group’s goal it is to certify every student, eighth grade and higher, in District 50 and 51 in CPR.

“I think if you can keep it fun stimulating and exciting then they are going to remember it when they need to do it," says Garcia with Professional EMS Education.

Students who finish the classes are certified through the American Heart Associations CPR for Schools Heart Saver Program. They also learn how to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

Professional EMS Education works on donations and sponsorships. For information on how you can help click on the attached link.