Learn CPR From JWA Kiosks, Thanks To American Heart Association

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Amid the peak holiday travel season, three Hands-Only CPR training kiosks from the American Heart Association were unveiled December 4 at John Wayne Airport, according to a recent release. Orange County supervisors and representatives from healthcare agencies took time to try out the machine which teaches users how to perform CPR on the spot.

Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital, and about 20 percent occur in public places such as airports. Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR
for cardiac arrest when it occurs in public, and CPR can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.

“In only about five minutes, travelers who may have some downtime at the Airport can learn how to perform CPR,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel, whose supervisorial district includes John Wayne Airport. “We are proud that John Wayne Airport will make it easy and convenient for travelers to acquire a skill that could save lives.”

Hands-Only CPR has two steps, performed in this order: when you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse,
call 911. Then, push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute until help arrives.

“By learning CPR, travelers can be ready to assist if they encounter someone who has collapsed or experienced cardiac arrest,” said Vice Chair Andrew Do, First District Supervisor. “If just one person who
learns this valuable skill goes on to help someone, these kiosks will have been a worthwhile addition to
John Wayne Airport.”

Each kiosk has a touch screen with a short video that provides an overview of Hands-Only CPR, followed
by a practice session and a 30-second test. With the help of a practice manikin, or a rubber torso, the
kiosk gives feedback about the depth and rate of compressions, as well as proper hand placement –
factors that influence the effectiveness of CPR.

“Public safety is our highest priority at John Wayne Airport and emergency response could be needed at
anytime, anywhere,” said Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Third District. “The availability of these three
interactive kiosks at JWA is a useful tool to educate people on life-saving techniques and an important
reminder to be prepared in the event of any emergency.”

The kiosks will be located in Terminal A at Gate 8, in Terminal B at Gate 12 and in Terminal C at Gate 16.

The first life-saving pilot kiosk was installed in 2013 at the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW).
Since 2013, more than 25,000 people have learned how to conduct Hands-Only CPR at the DFW Airport,
with almost 80 percent of them initiating the test session. Nearly half of those who started the test
completed their CPR education session.

“Based on the success experienced at other airports, these CPR training kiosks are a worthwhile,
beneficial addition at John Wayne Airport,” said Supervisor Shawn Nelson, Fourth District. “The more
people who know CPR, the better. You never know when it will be needed.”

In 2016, American Heart Association kiosks were installed in O’Hare International; Indianapolis
International; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International; and Baltimore-Washington International Airport,
providing millions of travelers around the country with access to CPR education.

“The CPR kiosks will equip travelers with lifesaving skills, and we’re thrilled to play a part in that,” said
Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “It is exciting to know people traveling to and from Orange County
will be able to leave John Wayne Airport better able to help those around them.”

Airports represent an opportune setting to train the public in Hands-Only CPR at kiosks, according to a
study recently published in Resuscitation. Researchers evaluated data from the American Heart
Association’s pilot kiosk at DFW International Airport during a 32-month period. The study showed there
was noticeable interest by the public to learn Hands-Only CPR as nearly 23,500 visitors used the kiosk
from July 2013 to February 2016.

“Our nation’s airports have proven to be a great way to extend our educational campaign to train people on the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR and, help meet the Association’s goal to double bystander response by 2020,” said Kathy Rogers, Executive Vice President of the American Heart Association Western States Affiliate. “By expanding the availability of the training kiosks, we’re hopeful that more people will feel confident to administer Hands-Only CPR on a stranger or someone they love.”

The kiosks have been made available at John Wayne Airport thanks to generous grants from the Argyros
Family Foundation, McCarthy Building Companies Inc., the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and the
CareMore Foundation.

For additional information about the American Heart Association, visit heart.org.

Photo, courtesy John Wayne Airport