Honolulu, February 1, 2024 — During February – American Heart Month – the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, is urging all Hawai’i families to learn the lifesaving skill of CPR. With more than 350,0000 people annually in the U.S. experiencing cardiac arrests outside of a hospital, including 23,000 children, CPR is a critical skill that kids as young as 9 years old can learn.[1][2][3]

Join the Nation of Lifesavers, an American Heart Association initiative focused on doubling the survival rate of cardiac arrest by 2030. Learning CPR is easier than ever with many learning options available to families. In Hawai’i, families can take an online CPR course, learn and practice Hands-Only CPR with a CPR Anytime® Training Kit, watch a 60-second video to learn Hands-Only CPR, or find a Heartsaver™ certification course near them.

“If you are called to respond in a cardiac emergency, knowing CPR may save the life of someone you love,” said Brandt Farias, volunteer board chair for the American Heart Association Hawai’i and EVP and chief marketing officer of Central Pacific Bank.“We are committed to extending the chain of survival in Hawai’i through education because the power to save a life is in each of our hands.”

There are three main types of CPR: Traditional, Child and Infant, and Hands-Only.

  • Traditional CPR is the method that combines chest compressions 2 inches in depth at the rate of 100-120 beats per minute followed by two breaths and repeat.
  • Infant and Child CPR is similar to traditional CPR but has some key differences. Child CPR is performed with chest compressions at the depth of two inches with one or two hands, followed by two breaths. Infant CPR is performed with chest compressions at the dept of 1 1/2 inches with two fingers, followed by two breaths and repeat.
  • Hands-Only CPR is chest compression-only CPR and has been shown to be equally effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of emergency response, when you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse. It involves two simple steps that anyone can learn from a 60-second video available at heart.org/handsonlycpr

Step 1: Call 911

Step 2: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest

The Association is committed to turning a nation of bystanders into lifesavers. The multi-year initiative will ensure teens and adults can learn about CPR and AED use, share that knowledge with friends and family and engage employers, policymakers, philanthropists and others to create support for a nation of lifesavers. The long-term goal: to ensure that in the face of a cardiac emergency, everyone, everywhere is prepared and empowered to perform CPR and become a vital link in the chain of survival.

CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival – which is key since about 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die.[4][5]  For more information on how to join the Nation of Lifesavers this February, visit heart.org/nation.

The beginning of Heart Month sees the American Heart Association celebrate National Wear Red Day® on Friday, February 2 in support of the Go Red for Women® movement and is encouraging the public to participate in National Wear Red Day. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, with nearly 45% of women over age 20 living with some form of cardiovascular disease.

The Association is encouraging the public to show their support by wearing RED on Friday, February 2 and posting to social media and tagging @hearthawaii and using the hashtags #HawaiiWearsRed, #WearRedDay and #WearRedAndGive.

Additional Resources:  

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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 a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments as we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Instagram, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.     

For Media Inquiries: 701-741-9188

Name: Megan Davidson – megan.davidson@heart.org

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

heart.org and stroke.org