Atlanta Falcons Partner with American Heart Association to Promote CPR Training During National CPR and AED Week

The Atlanta Falcons have joined forces with the American Heart Association to provide Hands-Only CPR and AED training to their players and coaches, marking National CPR and AED Week. This initiative underscores the critical importance of immediate CPR in saving lives, especially since nearly 90% of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not survive, often due to the lack of immediate CPR.

Cardiac arrest survival rates can double or triple with prompt CPR, a fact that drives the Falcons' three-year commitment to improving bystander CPR awareness in Atlanta. The team's efforts align with the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. The personal experience of Falcons' head coach Raheem Morris, who saved a three-year-old boy's life using CPR skills he learned from the same program, highlights the real-world impact of such training.

With nearly three-quarters of cardiac arrests occurring at home, the American Heart Association emphasizes the universal need for CPR knowledge. Hands-Only CPR, a simplified version of the lifesaving technique, is effective in the crucial first minutes of a cardiac emergency and is accessible to everyone. The NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition, in partnership with major sports leagues and the American Heart Association, further advocates for policies to prevent cardiac arrest deaths among high school athletes, showcasing the broad societal benefits of CPR education.

The collaboration between the Atlanta Falcons and the American Heart Association serves as a powerful reminder of how sports organizations can play a pivotal role in community health initiatives. By equipping individuals with the skills to act in emergencies, the partnership aims to foster a culture of preparedness that can save lives across the nation.