The American Heart Association, in partnership with FIFA, has delivered Hands-Only CPR training to more than 8,000 attendees at FIFA Fan experiences across Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and New York, resulting in over 800,000 chest compressions performed during training. This initiative, part of the Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, aims to address the more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests that occur annually in the United States, where immediate CPR can double or triple survival chances but is often not performed due to lack of training.
Participants at the fan events learn to recognize cardiac arrest and respond with two simple steps: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest. The training is delivered via the American Heart Association’s Mobile CPR Unit, which has seen its largest public engagement during this World Cup. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the impact: "More than 800,000 CPR training compressions practiced by fans are proof of how quickly people can build the confidence to act when every second counts." She noted that over half of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims do not receive bystander CPR before emergency services arrive.
Andrew Massey, FIFA Medical Director, expressed enthusiasm for using the global reach of football to promote lifesaving initiatives. "Through FIFA Fan Experiences, we can reach thousands of people and extend these critical skills far beyond the pitch," he said. The collaboration underscores the importance of integrating health education into high-energy environments, turning entertainment into opportunities for skill-building.
The American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and publisher of the official CPR guidelines, emphasizes that Hands-Only CPR is effective for teens and adults in the first few minutes of a collapse. With nearly three-quarters of cardiac arrests occurring at home, knowing CPR can save a loved one. The organization will continue its presence at upcoming FIFA Fan events, aiming to further expand the Nation of Lifesavers and double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
Additional resources on bystander CPR and Hands-Only CPR are available at heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR, and the public can join the Nation of Lifesavers at heart.org/nation.
