3 ways Alaskans can take health and safety into their own hands this summer

Anchorage, Alaska, May, 27, 2026 — Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anytime, anywhere, and too often people hesitate to step in because they believe CPR can only be performed by medical professionals. During CPR and AED Awareness Week, the American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, is working to change that misconception and empower everyday people to act when it matters most. 

According to the Association, more than two in three people in the U.S. believe only people with special training should perform CPR¹, a mistaken belief that contributes to the low survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest. If performed immediately, CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival², and hesitation can cost lives. 

During CPR & AED Awareness Week, June 1-7, the American Heart Association is reminding families and communities, you don’t need to wear scrubs or have a medical background to save a life. You just need the courage to act.  Heading into summer, the Association offers this checklist for families, workplaces and other communities to take health and safety into your own hands: 

1. Learn CPR and join the Nation of Lifesavers ™. In Alaska, families can watch a 90-second video to learn Hands-Only CPR for adults or learn how to save an infant or child using CPR with breaths using this video. For groups and individuals who want more comprehensive training, discover the right course with the Association’s CPR course catalog.  For more information on how to learn CPR, visit heart.org/nation.   
2. Plan ahead.  Summer is often a time for welcome disruptions. School is out, the days are long and it’s time for more fishing trips, camping and community gatherings. Check if your summer destination has a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP). A CERP establishes specific steps to reduce death from cardiac arrest in any setting — be it a school, community organization, workplace or sports facility.  
3. Join the Alaska Heart Run and Walk. Register for the Alaska Heart Run and Walk on Sat. Sept. 19 at the Alaska Airlines Center via AlaskaHeartRun.org. Every participant who joins and every dollar donated means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more lifesaving research funded and longer, healthier lives for everyone.   

“Life can be unpredictable and as a firefighter, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly an ordinary moment can turn into an emergency,” said Jason Dolph, American Heart Association volunteer and founding member of the Anchorage Firefighter Charitable Foundation. “When a cardiac arrest call comes in, every second matters, but we’re not always the first on scene. The actions before we arrive can make a difference between life and death. This CPR Week, we’re reminding every Alaskan that ordinary people have extraordinary power to save lives.” 

More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year³, and 90% of people will not survive. The American Heart Association is committed to turning a nation of bystanders into lifesavers. The long-term goal: to ensure that in the face of a cardiac emergency, anyone, anywhere, is prepared and empowered to perform CPR and become a vital link in the chain of survival. 

For additional ways to raise awareness during National CPR & AED Awareness Week, visit heart.org/nation. Nation of Lifesavers is nationally sponsored by Walgreens. Live Fierce, Take Action is locally sponsored by Alaska Heart & Vascular Institute, Anchorage Firefighter Charitable Foundation, Kaladi Brother’s Coffee and the Judy Foss Foundation.

Additional Resources:  

• Downloadable B-roll, photos and infographics are available on the right column of this release link.  
• Video interview with expert, Annie Arens, M.D., CPR/AED photos, demos and infographic available here. 
• Bystander CPR | Bystander CPR Infographic (PDF)  
• Hands-Only CPR Resources 
• Hands-Only CPR vs CPR with Breaths  
• Women and CPR 
• Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack 
• Reducing Disparities for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest – Community Toolkit: English and Spanish versions available 
• Take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.  

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About the American Heart Association 

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. In Alaska, connect with us on heart.org/Alaska, Facebook, Instagram or X.

For Media Inquiries:

Amber Moak, amber.moak@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org