The American Heart Association will bring its Nation of Lifesavers™ Mobile CPR Unit to the NFL's Super Bowl Experience in New Orleans, offering free Hands-Only CPR instruction to attendees from Wednesday, February 5 through Saturday, February 8. The mobile unit will provide walk-up style training, teaching participants the correct rate and depth of CPR compressions. This marks the fifth appearance of the Association's Mobile CPR Unit at a signature NFL event, following previous trainings at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas and LVII in Phoenix.
Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, emphasized the critical importance of immediate CPR response. The organization aims to double the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by 2030, with support from NFL player ambassadors including Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Science demonstrates that compression-only CPR can be equally effective as traditional CPR in emergency response's first few minutes. With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests occurring outside hospitals, learning CPR is essential. Currently, 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital die, often because immediate CPR is not performed.
In addition to the mobile unit, the American Heart Association will conduct CPR education during the NFL PLAY 60 Kids Day, where 1,000 students will learn lifesaving skills. The organization has collaborated with 23 NFL teams to educate players, staff, youth coaches, and fan families on Hands-Only CPR. The initiative also includes recognizing Black History Month, with 12 New Orleans-based Scholars participating in CPR training and highlighting health challenges in Black communities. Students who learn CPR through the program may win Super Bowl tickets and help their schools qualify for physical education grants.
By making CPR education accessible and engaging, the American Heart Association and NFL are working to empower more people to respond effectively during cardiac emergencies, potentially saving countless lives. This partnership leverages the massive platform of the Super Bowl to address a critical public health issue where immediate bystander intervention can mean the difference between life and death. The initiative represents a strategic approach to public health education that combines celebrity influence, community engagement, and practical skill-building to create a nation of potential lifesavers.
