Americans Can Learn Hands-Only CPR™ with a New Digital Application

NEW YORK, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning the simple steps of Hands-Only™ CPR — and how to save lives — is now even easier.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/50577-ad-council-hands-only-cpr

Just go to www.handsonlycpr.org for a new digital application that walks you through the two steps of Hands-Only™ CPR: calling 9-1-1 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest until professional help arrives. You try it out on a female or male torso that you choose from a gallery of bodies. When you're done, you can share the application with friends and family via Facebook or Twitter.

Gotham, a New York ad agency, created the Web-based interactive application for the American Heart Association and Ad Council.

"We took a novel approach with the execution to increase the likelihood of viewer engagement and pass on — with the intention to help save lives," said Peter McGuinness, chairman and CEO of Gotham.

Nearly 300,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests occur annually — 80 percent at home, according to the American Heart Association. Seventy percent of Americans feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency because they either don't know how to administer CPR or their training has significantly lapsed. But performing Hands-Only™ CPR on adults who suddenly collapse can more than double their chances of survival, the association said.

"All Americans, at a minimum, should know Hands-Only™ CPR — and use it — so we can really make a dent in improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest," said Michael Sayre, M.D., chair of the American Heart Association's Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee. "The new digital application is fun, engaging and takes just a few minutes. Anyone can take the time to learn this lifesaving skill."

Building on a nationwide campaign launched in 2009, Gotham has also developed a series of Web banners to promote the new application. An integrated social media program will also extend the reach of the new application through blog outreach and online partnerships that engage and educate adults.

"This innovative digital application engages Americans in learning the best way to perform Hands-Only™ CPR in a very fun and clever way," said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. "I encourage everyone to take a minute out of their lives to use the application and share it with their friends and loved ones."

To learn more about the application and Hands-Only™ CPR, including a one-minute instructional video, visit handsonlycpr.org.

American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.

The Ad Council

The Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org) is a private, non-profit organization with a rich history of marshalling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has effected, and continues to effect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action and saving lives.

Gotham

Gotham's 160 employees service the integrated communication needs of clients in fashion and beauty, retail, healthcare, financial services, and packaged goods categories.  Clients include: Lindt, Fresh Direct, Yellowbook.com, Sony Ericsson, Bausch & Lomb, Maybelline, Remington, RSM McGladrey, Newman's Own and Wedgewood. For more information, visit www.gothaminc.com.

Editor's Note: During a cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops beating normally and the victim collapse into unconsciousness.  Oxygen-rich blood stops circulating.  Without quick action, such as immediate CPR, a victim of cardiac arrest can die within four to six minutes. Every day, nearly 800 Americans suffer sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospitals, according to the American Heart Association, and less than 10 percent will survive to hospital discharge.  However, studies show providing CPR to an adult who has collapsed from a sudden cardiac arrest can more than double or triple that person's chance of survival.  Unfortunately, less than one-third of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims receive that help.

SOURCE The Ad Council