The American Heart Association (AHA) announced today that it will bring its Nation of Lifesavers mobile CPR unit to FIFA Fan Festivals in four U.S. host cities starting next week, offering Hands-Only CPR training to thousands of soccer fans. The initiative, organized in collaboration with FIFA Medical, aims to empower more people to respond in cardiac emergencies and support the AHA's goal to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals in the United States each year, and immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival. The AHA's mobile unit will be present at FIFA Fan Festivals in Atlanta, Dallas, and Philadelphia from June 10 through July 19, and at the New York New Jersey Fan Zone in the Bronx from June 13-14, as well as the Central Park Mini Pitch from June 10 through July 19. These festivals are expected to draw thousands of visitors from around the world.
“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, CEO 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. That’s why we are committed to ensuring more people are trained, confident, and ready to act as a lifesaver in a cardiac emergency.”
Hands-Only CPR, also known as compression-only CPR, is effective for teens and adults in the first few minutes of an emergency and involves calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest. The AHA is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. At the mobile unit, fans can practice Hands-Only CPR, learn to recognize cardiac arrest, and build confidence to act in an emergency.
Andrew Massey, FIFA Medical Director, emphasized the impact of the initiative: “Soccer has a unique ability to unite communities across cultures and generations. 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.” FIFA Medical often uses FIFA Competitions to develop legacy health campaigns that leave a lasting public health impact beyond the tournament.
This marks the AHA's first appearance at a FIFA event and its 10th appearance at a major national sporting event. The Association has previously provided Hands-Only CPR and AED training at events such as the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, and NBA All-Star Game. With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside the hospital happening at home, knowing CPR can help save the life of a loved one. The AHA 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.
Volunteer opportunities are available for those interested in helping teach Hands-Only CPR at the festivals. No prior medical experience is required, and volunteers must be 18 and older. More details and sign-up information can be found at heart.org/FIFAFanFestival. To learn Hands-Only CPR and join the Nation of Lifesavers, visit heart.org/nation.
