Nearly six in ten American adults mistakenly believe that only individuals with special training should perform Hands-Only CPR, according to a new consumer survey from the American Heart Association. This persistent myth can be life-threatening, as immediate CPR significantly improves survival outcomes for cardiac arrest victims, the Association warns.
Launching during Heart Month 2026, the American Heart Association’s campaign, You Are the First Responder Until Help Arrives, emphasizes that anyone can act to save a life. Currently, bystanders intervene with CPR only about 41% of the time, despite research showing that Hands-Only CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. Most cardiac emergencies occur outside hospitals, often at home, where a loved one may be the only person nearby to help.
“People tell us they’re afraid they’ll ‘do it wrong’ or think CPR requires having a certification or taking class before they can help,” said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., volunteer president of the American Heart Association. “Here’s what matters - if a teen or adult collapses: call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Your hands can keep blood flowing until professionals arrive.”
The survey highlights that certain groups, including women and Black adults, are even less likely to receive bystander CPR. The Association’s campaign specifically addresses barriers such as fear of doing it wrong, legal concerns, and worries about inappropriate contact, as well as the belief that special training is required—a perception more common in historically excluded communities.
Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States, with about 90% proving fatal. A compelling example of the impact of bystander CPR is the story of Kristen Walenga, who collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest at home. Her 15-year-old son, Eddie, who learned CPR through the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge program, performed chest compressions until paramedics arrived, saving her life.
Hands-Only CPR for teens and adults involves two simple steps: call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute, roughly the tempo of “Stayin’ Alive” or “Uptown Funk.” If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, bystanders should turn it on and follow voice prompts. For infants and children, CPR must include breaths.
The American Heart Association encourages people to learn CPR through flexible options, including watching a video on Hands-Only CPR basics, taking a class to build confidence, or asking their school, workplace, or community to develop cardiac emergency response plans and secure an AED.
“CPR is a civic duty. Heroism is not limited to uniforms, it is everyday people stepping up for others,” said Rosen. “Strong communities are built by preparedness. Whether you’re at home, the gym, or a child’s soccer game, cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, and you will most likely be saving the life of someone you know and love.”
The campaign aligns with the Association’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative, sponsored nationally by Walgreens, which aims to double survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030.
