OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 28, 2023 – Every year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital with more than 20% happening in public places.

When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby.

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, and Devon Energy recently unveiled an interactive kiosk designed to teach Hands-Only CPR to Oklahoma City residents and visitors. The mobile kiosk is currently located in the Devon Energy Center in downtown OKC but will be moved within the company and throughout the community over the next three years.

The American Heart Association will celebrate its centennial year in 2024. Because of Devon’s level of support for the Association, the company is being recognized as a Second Century sponsor as the organization launched into its next 100 years.

Clay Gaspar, EVP and chief operating officer at Devon, serves on the American Heart Association’s SouthWest regional board. He praised the relationship.

“Devon is excited about this partnership with AHA to teach people about Hands-Only CPR,” said Gaspar. “We look forward to helping our employees and community members become better equipped to save a life.”

The mobile Hands-Only CPR training kiosk features a touch screen with a video program that offers a brief introduction and overview of Hands-Only CPR, followed by a practice session and a 30-second test session. With the help of a practice manikin, or a rubber torso, the kiosk gives feedback on the depth and rate of compressions and proper hand placement – factors that influence the effectiveness of CPR. The entire training takes about five minutes.

Studies show that Hands-Only CPR is equally as effective as conventional CPR, and people are more likely to feel comfortable performing it. The Hands-Only CPR education available at the kiosk helps users understand how they can immediately help a person who experiences a cardiac emergency outside of a hospital.

“While in-person training is still the best way to learn the skills necessary for high-quality CPR, this mobile kiosk will provide additional training that could make a difference and save the life of someone you love,” said Alicia McCay, American Heart Association CPR Kiosk program manager.

The Devon kiosk will be accessible to Devon employees, visitors and anyone who wants to learn Hands-Only CPR.

“About 90 percent of cardiac arrest victims die, often because bystanders don’t know how to start CPR or fear that they’ll do something wrong,” said Mark Fried, executive director of the American Heart Association-OKC. “Bystander CPR, especially if administered immediately, can triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. This is why the Hands-Only CPR education available at the kiosk is so valuable. In just a matter of a few minutes, people will learn a skill that has the potential to save lives.”

The two simple steps of Hands-Only CPR are: if you see a teen or adult collapse, first call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive,” which has 100 beats per minute (bpm). The Bee Gees’ song provides the minimum rate for chest during Hands-Only CPR.

“The kiosk will help the public understand how simple it is to perform the two steps of Hands-Only CPR, which will hopefully help reduce some of the trepidation that people have about performing bystander CPR,” added McCay. “After completing the kiosk training, we hope people will feel empowered knowing they are taking the first steps in learning a critical skill.”

Anthem Foundation is the American Heart Association’s national and founding National supporter of the Hands-Only CPR kiosk program.

To learn more about the Hands-Only CPR campaign and learn how to save a life, visit 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. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

 

About Devon

Devon Energy is a leading oil and gas producer in the U.S. with a premier multi-basin portfolio headlined by a world-class acreage position in the Delaware Basin. Devon’s disciplined cash-return business model is designed to achieve strong returns, generate free cash flow and return capital to shareholders, while focusing on safe and sustainable operations. For more information, please visit https://www.devonenergy.com/. 

For Media Inquiries

Cyd King: M 479.263.8473; cyd.king@heart.org

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

heart.org and stroke.org