More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals in the United States each year, and immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can double or triple a person's chance of survival. In honor of National CPR and AED Week, the American Heart Association is bringing its Nation of Lifesavers mobile CPR unit to FIFA Fan Festivals in four host cities beginning next week, offering Hands-Only CPR training during one of the world's largest sporting events.
From June 10 through July 19, the Association will host the mobile CPR unit at FIFA Fan Festivals in Atlanta, Dallas, and Philadelphia. The festivals, part of the global soccer championship run by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), are expected to draw thousands of visitors from around the world. The CPR unit will also appear at the New York New Jersey Fan Zone in the Bronx from June 13-14 and at the Central Park Mini Pitch from June 10 through July 19.
The Nation of Lifesavers mobile CPR unit is organized in close collaboration with FIFA Medical, the medical and health division of FIFA. This initiative supports the Association's goal to double survival rates of cardiac arrest by 2030 by empowering more people to act in an emergency. The American Heart Association was recently identified by the Annenberg Public Policy Center as the most trusted public health information source after an individual's personal health care provider, with more than 8 in 10 U.S. adults confident in the Association to provide trustworthy public health information.
"By offering Hands-Only CPR instruction at FIFA Fan Festivals, thousands of people can join the Nation of Lifesavers and help more communities feel prepared to take action when every second counts," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "More than half of people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital don't receive CPR before emergency responders arrive."
Hands-Only CPR, also known as compression-only CPR, is effective for teens and adults in the first few minutes of an emergency and is as simple as calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest. Fans visiting the mobile CPR unit will be able to practice Hands-Only CPR, learn how to recognize cardiac arrest, and build confidence to take action in an emergency.
Volunteer opportunities are available in select host cities for people interested in helping teach Hands-Only CPR. No prior medical experience is required. Additional details and volunteer sign-up information is available at heart.org/FIFAFanFestival. Volunteers must be 18 and older.
"Soccer has a unique ability to unite communities across cultures and generations," said Andrew Massey, FIFA Medical Director. "By incorporating Hands-Only CPR training into the FIFA Fan Festival experience, fans can leave with more than memories from the tournament - they can leave with the confidence to help save a life during a cardiac emergency."
This marks the American Heart Association's first appearance at a FIFA event and its 10th appearance at a major national sporting event. The Association has previously brought Hands-Only CPR and AED training to fans at events including Super Bowl LX in San Francisco, Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, and the 2024 NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis. With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside the hospital happening at home, knowing CPR can help save the life of someone you love. Learn Hands-Only CPR at heart.org/nation.
