Football fans attending Super Bowl Experience in San Francisco will have the opportunity to learn Hands-Only CPR, thanks to the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ Mobile CPR Unit. The unit will be stationed at the Moscone Convention Center from Tuesday, Feb. 3 through Saturday, Feb. 7, offering walk-up instruction sessions led by qualified trainers. Participants will practice the correct rate and depth of chest compressions, a skill that can double or triple a person's chance of survival during cardiac arrest.
The collaboration between the American Heart Association and the NFL underscores the importance of immediate action in cardiac emergencies. According to the American Heart Association, Hands-Only CPR—pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest—is as effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes after a collapse. This initiative is part of the Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. "When more people know CPR, more lives can be saved," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. "By collaborating with the NFL, we are working to ensure everyone is prepared to act in a cardiac emergency."
The NFL also supports the Association's in-school programs, Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™, which teach Hands-Only CPR to students. This year, five students won Super Bowl LX tickets through these programs, and their schools are eligible for a $10,000 physical education makeover. Schools and students can enter now to win tickets to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles in 2027.
Since January 2023, the American Heart Association has partnered with over half of NFL teams to train players, staff, and fans in Hands-Only CPR and Heartsaver® CPR AED. Teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs have hosted training events, making communities better prepared for cardiac emergencies. This marks the sixth appearance of the Mobile CPR Unit at a major NFL event, with previous stops at Super Bowls LIX, LVIII, and LVII, as well as recent NFL Drafts.
The need for widespread CPR training is critical: nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests occur at home, and 9 out of 10 victims die, often because bystanders do not administer CPR promptly. "Knowing you are most likely to perform CPR on someone you know and love, being ready to act is a critical skill," Brown emphasized. The American Heart Association provides guidance and resources at heart.org/nation for those who want to learn more.
Additionally, NFL players from all 32 teams serve as Nation of Lifesavers Player Ambassadors, encouraging fans to learn CPR. The 2025 ambassador class includes Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, Kenny Pickett of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs, among others. Their involvement highlights the widespread support for this public health initiative.
