Hands-Only CPR

Local Health Care Operations VP to lead 2026 Heart Walk and citywide push for CPR readiness

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Karas joins the American Heart Association to bring Heart Walk back to Buffalo According to the American Heart Association, 9 in 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die, and more than half don’t receive bystander CPR. CPR — especially if performed immediately — can double or triple a person’s chance of … Read more

Black communities face increased heart health challenges, prompting nationwide call to act

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Joining the Nation of Lifesavers™ will train bystanders to become first responders until help arrives HAMPTON ROADS, Va., February 5, 2026 — The American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update shows that while meaningful progress continues in reducing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health disparities, Black communities in the United States still face disproportionately higher rates of heart … Read more

Back by popular demand: Community CPR Day

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MVP Health Care and Albany County, through the Innovation Partnership, once again make American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR training available to community Since the American Heart Association began its Nation of Lifesavers campaign to train people in Hands-Only CPR, more than 17 million people have learned this lifesaving skill. “Knowing Hands-Only CPR can mean the … Read more

Long Island Hands-Only CPR Kiosk

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The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, on Oct. 28 launched and held a ribbon cutting for the region’s first Hands-Only CPR training kiosk at Farmingdale State College, SUNY. The kiosk, located at Nold Hall, marks the first of its kind in the New York metropolitan area … Read more

Students in Rochester area explore careers in STEM fields

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American Heart Association’s Rochester STEM Goes Red™, part of its Go Red for Women® movement, introduces students to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and connects students with female industry leaders Today’s economy and tomorrow’s well-being depend on innovations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but a troubling gap exists when it … Read more

Saving lives through CPR education in the City of Rochester

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A group pf people in a gym stand with CPR in Schools Training Kits

With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of the hospital occurring in homes, knowing how to perform CPR is critically important[1]. CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival[2]. That is why the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for … Read more

Saving lives through CPR education in Central New York

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FamilyCare Medical Group and the American Heart Association provide Hands-Only CPR training equipment to community organizations With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of the hospital occurring in homes, knowing how to perform CPR is critically important[1]. CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival[2]. … Read more

Hampton Roads healthcare executives take the helm to save lives

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Amber Egyud and Donna Runyan mobilize Hampton Roads’ corporate leaders to build community of lifesavers as co-chairs of American Heart Association Heart Walk HAMPTON ROADS, Va., June 25, 2025 — Amber Egyud, Chief Operating & Nursing Officer of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare and Donna Runyan, Chief Human Resources Officer of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, will lead the … Read more

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work – How an Office Meeting became a CPR Emergency

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Cindy Keely is a Quality Systems Director for the American Heart Association and is a certified CPR instructor. She shares this incredible story for CPR Awareness Week. It started off as a normal Monday back to the office day the first week of June a few years ago, but it turned out to be something … Read more

4 ways to make this summer as safe as it is fun

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American Heart Association offers summer safety checklist for families ahead of CPR & AED Awareness Week, June 1-7 HAMPTON ROADS, Va., June 2, 2025 — More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year[1], and 90% of people who have a cardiac arrest will not survive. The American Heart Association, devoted … Read more

Solanco students learn to save a life using Hands-Only CPR

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CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. However, 70% of respondents in a recent consumer survey said they were not confident they would respond with CPR in a cardiac emergency. With the goal of changing this statistic, the American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation … Read more

Join the Nation of Lifesavers™ during American Heart Month and go from bystander to lifesaver

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The American Heart Association encourages all Hampton Roads families to learn CPR this February      During February – American Heart Month – the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, is urging all Hampton Roads families to learn the lifesaving skill of CPR. With … Read more

A former athlete and sudden cardiac arrest survivor turns pain into purpose

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Former basketball player and sudden cardiac arrest survivor, Omar Carter

On February 1, 2023, nearly one month after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest during Monday Night Football, Damar Hamlin and the American Heart Association launched his #3forHeart CPR Challenge. Yet, 600 miles away, the number 3, held a much different meaning to another athlete. Former basketball star Omar Carter suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on … Read more

Heart of Greater Washington Serve Day Educates Thousands in Hands-Only CPR

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Written by Matthew Wiechmann, Health Strategies Intern More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) occur each year, and about 90% of people who experience an OHCA do not survive. Early CPR can more than double someone’s chance at life, but less than half of those in need of CPR receive assistance from a bystander. The … Read more

Dr. Richard L. Snyder of Independence Blue Cross is a champion for training a Nation of Lifesavers through CPR and AED awareness

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June 1-7 each year is National CPR Awareness Week, spotlighting how lives can be saved if more Americans know CPR.  Dr. Richard L. Snyder, Executive Vice President of Facilitated Health Networks for Independence Blue Cross, has been a long-time champion and advocate of CPR & AED awareness, leading a citywide initiative, CPR Ready Coalition, in … Read more

Dr. Richard Snyder of Independence Blue Cross Receives Regional Award from American Heart Association

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On February 8, 2023, local leaders come together to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Richard Snyder at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine’s CPR Kiosk. Dr. Snyder received the Leadership Legacy Award from the American Heart Association’s Eastern States Region, an award given to only a select few. Dr. Snyder has volunteered with the Association for many years, including being the Philadelphia region’s board chair. He has always been passionate about CPR, raising awareness and teaching those in the Philadelphia region Hands-Only CPR.

Why It Matters: Each year more than 350,000 people suffer out of hospital cardiac arrest, only 10% of those people survive. Dr. Snyder has played an integral role in helping to improve those odds by helping to create the CPR Ready Coalition in Philadelphia. This coalition was created in 2016 with a goal of increasing the number of people who are trained and willing to perform hands-only CPR. This coalition is comprised of: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, CPR/AED Public Awareness and Training Network, The Health Care Improvement Foundation, Independence Blue Cross, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia Fire Department, and the School District of Philadelphia.

Dr. Snyder was also instrumental in bringing the first CPR Kiosk to the Philadelphia Region, at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, where people can learn CPR at their own pace, and beready to help someone in crisis.

“Hands-Only CPR is a powerful tool that takes only 60 seconds to learn and can double or even triple a victim’s chances of survival. said Richard Snyder, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer at Independence Blue Cross.

Kevin Mahoney, CEO University of Pennsylvania Health System, was on hand to help present the award to Dr. Snyder, along with the Fire Commissioner of Philadephia, AdamThiel, Gregory Deavons, CEO of Independence Blue Cross  and Jennifer Litchman-Green, Executive Director of the American Heart Association of Philadelphia, all of whom shared the same sentiment, that Dr. Snyder always puts the patients and the community at large first.

 

Damar Hamlin’s Inspiring Recovery: CPR Saves Lives 

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While playing in the Buffalo Bills – Cincinnati Bengals game on Monday Night Football on January 2, Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after a hit and was administered CPR on the field before being transferred to an area hospital.

Hamlin reportedly experienced a cardiac arrest – when the heart stops abruptly with little or no warning. Early recognition of cardiac arrest improves the person’s chance of survival and is key to starting the correct care of CPR and the appropriate use of defibrillation to restart the heart. The on-site medical team evaluated the situation and appeared to quickly remove his safety pads, begin CPR and apply the automated external defibrillator (AED).  

CPR can help keep the heart pumping and blood flowing to vital organs until an electrical shock from a defibrillator is available to restore the heart to a normal heart rhythm. Then the patient can be safely moved for further medical treatment, supportive care, testing to determine what the cause of the arrest may have been and recovery, including both physical and mental health resources for the person and their family.

Possible causes

Cardiac arrest can have several causes. Since Hamlin collapsed immediately following a tackle on the play, one potential cause could be commotio cordis. Commotio cordis is a rare phenomenon from a sudden blunt impact to the chest causing sudden death in the absence of apparent cardiac damage. The blow to the chest at precisely the wrong time in the cardiac cycle causes an electrical abnormality in the heart resulting in  an irregular heart rhythm that cannot pump blood to the body.  Immediate CPR and a shock to reset the rhythm can help the heartbeat return to normal function.

Another cause of cardiac arrest that additional tests are likely to attempt to detect or rule out is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or a thickened heart muscle – a more common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people and athletes specifically. The thickened heart can be due to a genetic condition or can be caused by athletic conditioning that thickens the muscles of the heart and can make it more susceptible to an irregular heart rhythm like ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia.

“This was traumatic for everyone, especially Hamlin’s family and teammates but also for so many others involved and witnessing the event. More than 70% of cardiac arrests that do not happen in the hospital, occur in a home where access to medical professionals and an AED is not as readily available,” said Mariell Jessup, M.D., FAHA, chief science and medical officer of the American Heart Association. “Recognizing a cardiac arrest, calling 911 immediately, performing CPR and using an AED as soon as it is available are critical for survival.

Statistically speaking, it is likely that the person will need to be helped by a family member or a friend to survive.”

Having community members trained in CPR and AEDs in public spaces can increase the chances of survival. The rate of bystander CPR in North America is estimated at only 39-44%, and only about 1 in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Improving the rate of bystander CPR is critical to increasing survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

The skill to perform CPR and use a defibrillator are the foundational components of preparing laypeople to respond to cardiac arrest. People also need to feel emotionally prepared to respond and be able to cope with the aftermath of performing CPR.

Resources for learning CPR

Each year in the United States, an estimated 350,000 people experience sudden cardiac arrest in the community. Anyone who witnesses a cardiac arrest in the community (i.e., not in a hospital) can perform CPR. Roughly 70% of cardiac arrests that do not happen in the hospital, occur in homes and private residences, therefore, a friend or family member is mostly likely to be the person who needs to take action. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double, or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

For adults and adolescent children, Hands-Only CPR is an easy-to-learn skill that requires only two steps: call emergency services and push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute.

For more information, visit heart.org

 

Capitol Hill runner reunites with CPR heroes and first responders following cardiac arrest

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On Oct. 27, 2021, Delya Sommerville joined her jogging club for their usual Wednesday run around Capitol Hill, but for Delya, that morning is a blur. She doesn’t remember waking up, putting on her sneakers, or starting her workout. After going to bed the evening before, the next thing she recalls is waking up in … Read more

CPR and an AED Saved Scott’s Life

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It was the Monday following President’s Day weekend. Scott Kern was anticipating a busy day in his Executive Office at Dollar Tree Headquarters in Chesapeake, VA. Before he arrived at work, he’d spent some time in the gym, working out, preparing for a doctor’s appointment scheduled for the next day. Kern proceeded to skip multiple … Read more

Greater Washington Region Heart Ball Heads Back to the Ballroom, Raises Over $1 Million in honor of CPR Awareness and Education

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For the first time since February 2020, we greeted approximately 300 friends and supporters of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Greater Washington Region for an evening of dining, dancing and fellowship at the Heart Ball. As guests descended the escalators of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington DC, they were transported back to the ballroom … Read more

American Heart Association, Barley Snyder donate CPR training kit to Lancaster County school

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The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, recently donated a CPR in Schools training kit to Conestoga Valley High School. The donation was made possible with support from Barley Snyder, as part of the law firm’s sponsorship of the Lancaster Heart Ball. “Being able to … Read more

American Heart Association, Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster donate CPR training kits in Lebanon County

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The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, recently donated 20 CPR Anytime training kits to First Aid and Safety Patrol. The donation was made possible with support from Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster, as part of their sponsorship of the Lebanon Heart Ball. “OAL has a … Read more

Greater Washington Region Board Member Saves a Life Through CPR

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Newly elected to the American Heart Association Greater Washington Region Board of Directors, Bryan O. Buckley, DRPH, MPH was out for a bike ride with a friend on Three Notch Trail in Maryland. He never anticipated on that day that they would save a life. Not long into their ride, Bryan and his friend watched … Read more

CPR Saves Lives – Charlie’s Story

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April 3, 2019 began like any other day for Charlie Nordhoff. Little did he know that his life would change forever and he would be saved through CPR, thanks to the quick, life-saving actions of his colleagues. Charlie did not recognize that he was having a heart attack, nor did he recognize any symptoms of … Read more

Santa Visits CPR Kiosk at BWI Airport to Teach LifeSaving Skill

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Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is home to an American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR training kiosk, providing millions of passengers the opportunity to learn lifesaving Hands-Only CPR in about five minutes. The interactive kiosk, supported by the Amerigroup Foundation,  was visted by Santa and two of his helpers from the North Pole on Friday, … Read more

Building an Army of Life Savers in the Latino Community in Richmond, VA

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The American Heart Association in Richmond recently teamed up with La Casa de la Salud (LCS) to improve the rate of bystander CPR among the area’s growing Hispanic and Latino community. LCS is a local non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health, well-being and access to resources for this at-risk population. “Latinos and Hispanics are … Read more