American Heart Association Brings Life-Saving CPR Training to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans

The American Heart Association (AHA) is leveraging the massive audience of Super Bowl LIX to expand critical life-saving skills, offering free Hands-Only CPR training to thousands of attendees at the NFL's Super Bowl Experience in New Orleans.

During the event from Wednesday, February 5 through Saturday, February 8, qualified CPR trainers will provide walk-up style instruction at the Mobile CPR Unit, teaching participants the correct rate and depth of chest compressions. This marks the fifth NFL event where the AHA has deployed its mobile training unit, continuing a collaborative effort to increase public awareness and preparedness for cardiac emergencies.

The initiative addresses a critical public health challenge: nearly 90% of people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital die, often because immediate CPR is not performed. By teaching Hands-Only CPR, which involves calling 911 and performing chest compressions, the AHA aims to dramatically improve survival rates.

As part of the broader outreach, the organization will also engage 1,000 children at the NFL PLAY 60 Kids Day, introducing young people to CPR techniques. Additionally, 12 New Orleans-based scholars from Historically Black Colleges and Universities will participate in the training, aligning with Black History Month efforts to address health challenges in Black communities.

The program is supported by a class of NFL Player Ambassadors, led by cardiac arrest survivor Damar Hamlin, who are encouraging fans, friends, and family to learn this critical life-saving skill. Since January 2023, the AHA has worked with over half of NFL teams to provide CPR education to players, staff, and local communities.

With a bold goal of doubling out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030, the AHA's Super Bowl LIX training represents a significant step toward creating a nation of lifesavers equipped to respond effectively during medical emergencies.