MIDLAND, Mich. – The Dow Championship golf event will feature an initiative to teach fans how to perform Hands-Only CPR, addressing the statistic that most out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims die because they do not receive immediate CPR. The American Heart Association will station its Nation of Lifesavers Mobile CPR unit on-site, providing walk-up training throughout tournament days.
Qualified CPR trainers will instruct participants on proper compression rate and depth, emphasizing that Hands-Only CPR – calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest – can be as effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of an emergency. According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival.
This effort is part of the Nation of Lifesavers movement, which aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. The American Heart Association, the LPGA, and Dow are collaborating to empower more people to act confidently during a cardiac emergency. The training supports the Nation of Lifesavers initiative, which has previously activated at major sporting events including Super Bowls, NFL Drafts, and the NBA All-Star Game.
As part of Dow's SOAR Summit during tournament week, a fireside chat will feature NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, NWSL player Savy King, and American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown, sharing personal stories of resilience and recovery following cardiac events. They will encourage fans to learn CPR and join the movement.
“Every second counts when a cardiac arrest occurs, and far too often help doesn’t arrive in time because bystanders don’t feel prepared to act. Through the Nation of Lifesavers, we’re equipping people with the confidence and skills to step in during those critical moments,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “We’re grateful to work with Dow and the LPGA at the Dow Championship to bring this lifesaving education directly to the community.”
Dow Chair and CEO Jim Fitterling emphasized the company's commitment to healthier communities. “Hosting the Nation of Lifesavers CPR activation at the Dow Championship and convening leaders and athletes at our SOAR Summit reflects our belief in the power of connection, education and action,” he said.
The American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. The organization notes that 9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital die, often because they do not receive immediate CPR. This event marks another major sporting moment for the Nation of Lifesavers, which has also activated at FIFA Fan Festival sites this summer in New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Dallas.
