New survey findings from the American Heart Association reveal that nearly six in ten American adults incorrectly believe only those with special training should perform Hands-Only CPR. This persistent myth has significant consequences, as immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival during cardiac arrest.
With most cardiac emergencies occurring outside hospital settings, bystanders serve as critical first responders until professional help arrives. However, current data shows bystanders step in with CPR only about 41% of the time. The American Heart Association's 2026 Heart Month theme, "You Are the First Responder Until Help Arrives," directly addresses this gap by emphasizing that medical credentials are not required to save a life.
"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., FAHA, 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 stakes are particularly high given that more than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside hospitals annually in the United States, with approximately 90% proving fatal. Most occur at home, where family members may be the only potential responders. Research indicates Hands-Only CPR can dramatically improve outcomes, as detailed in the 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care available at https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001372.
Hands-Only CPR requires just two steps for teens and adults: calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest at 100-120 beats per minute. The technique can be learned through various accessible methods, including watching instructional videos or taking classes available at https://heart.org/nation. For infants and children, CPR must include breaths.
Certain demographic groups face additional barriers to receiving CPR assistance. Women and Black adults are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders due to concerns about doing it incorrectly, fear of legal ramifications, worries about inappropriate contact, and the persistent belief that special training is required. This perception is even more common in historically excluded communities.
The "You Are the First Responder" initiative aligns with the Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers program, which aims to double survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030. Community preparedness through cardiac emergency response plans, CPR awareness activities, and accessible automated external defibrillators can strengthen response capabilities across various settings.
As cardiac arrest can occur anywhere, from homes to gyms to children's sporting events, public understanding of simple CPR techniques represents a crucial public health priority with potential to save thousands of lives annually through increased bystander intervention.
