American Heart Association and MidFirst Bank launch Hands-Only CPR training kiosk at local museum to teach life-saving skill

June 27, 2022

OKLAHOMA CITY — Every year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital with more than 20% happening in public places like airports, sporting facilities, and tourist attractions. When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby.

On Monday, the American Heart Association (AHA), a global force for longer, healthier lives, and MidFirst Bank gathered at Science Museum Oklahoma to unveil an interactive kiosk designed to teach Hands-Only CPR to Oklahoma City residents and visitors. The kiosk features a touch screen with a video program that provides 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 about 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.

“Although in-person training is still the best way to learn the skills necessary for high-quality CPR, this kiosk will provide additional training that could make a difference and save the life of someone you love,” said Alicia McCay, AHA CPR Kiosk Program Manager.

The kiosk will be on display for a full year at Science Museum Oklahoma, 2020 Remington Place in Oklahoma City, where it will be accessible to thousands of visitors. The teaching tool will also be on display at the 2023 and 2024 OKC Heart Walks, and other locations throughout the Oklahoma City metro area.

“About 90 percent of cardiac arrest victims die, often because bystanders don’t know how to start CPR or are afraid they’ll do something wrong,” said Kristi Colclasure, executive director of the AHA in Oklahoma City. “Bystander CPR, especially if administered immediately, can triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival, which 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 MidFirst Bank Heart Visa^® Debit Card program was created in partnership with the AHA to help fight the incidents of heart disease and stroke, nationwide. We are pleased to announce that our Heart Visa Debit Card customers have helped us donate over $1 million to the American Heart Association through their Heart Visa Debit Card usage,” says Jeff Records, CEO at MidFirst Bank. “These donations have been used to fund the AHA’s essential life-saving research, as well as learning tools such as the new Hands-Only CPR kiosk. We appreciate our customers’ dedication in supporting the AHA through the MidFirst Bank Heart Visa Debit Card program."

The two simple steps of Hands-Only CPR are: if a bystander sees a teen or adult collapse, he or she should first call 9-1-1. 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 has the minimum rate you should push on the 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 kiosk program.

To learn more about the Hands-Only CPR campaign and learn how to save a life, visit www.heart.org/handsonlycpr

 

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 MidFirst Bank

With $32.2 billion in assets and serving more than 900,000 customers, Oklahoma City-based MidFirst Bank is the largest privately owned bank in the country. MidFirst Bank has banking centers in Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado and Texas and provides commercial lending, wealth management, private banking and mortgage servicing nationally. MidFirst Bank also operates 1st Century Bank as a division of MidFirst Bank in Southern California.

The MidFirst Bank Heart Visa Debit Card program was created in partnership with the American Heart Association and MidFirst donates five-cents per transaction when customers use their Heart Visa Debit Card at least six times per month. Additionally, MidFirst donates $50 for every new account opened that receives a Heart Visa Debit Card and enrolls in direct deposit. Learn more about the Heart Visa Debit Card at midfirst.com/heart.