An American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR kiosk has a new home at the Science Museum of Virginia as part of the new interactive touring exhibition, “Rescue.”
According to the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, 9 out of 10 people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die. Hands-Only CPR, especially if performed immediately, could double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
“Having the CPR kiosk at the Science Museum is an incredible opportunity to turn families into readily prepared lifesavers” said Rich Reinecke, board chair of the American Heart Association in Central Virginia and co-founder of Fahrenheit Advisors.
The kiosk provides an interactive touch screen with a video program that explains the steps to perform Hands-Only CPR. It also features a rubber torso that provides feedback on CPR effectiveness including hand placement, the rate and depth of the compressions, and the amount of recoil given.
“Our goal is for at least one person in every household in Virginia to know how to perform Hands-Only CPR, especially since 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home,” said Reinecke. “We hope everyone who visits the Science Museum will take the chance to learn this lifesaving skill.”
The kiosk first launched at The Market at 25th in Richmond’s East End in September of 2024. Since then, it has traveled to the VCU Student Commons and the Henrico Sports and Events Center and trained over 2,000 people in Hands-Only CPR.
“‘Rescue’ places guests into missions where they solve problems, think quickly, and make decisions in a hands-on environment,” said Timshel Purdum, Virginia C. Ellett Deputy Director of Education at the Science Museum of Virginia. “Thanks to the kiosk, guests are provided with the opportunity to learn Hands-Only CPR as part of their visit. We’re looking forward to introducing these life-saving skills to guests through this addition to the exhibition.”
More than 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest outside of the hospital each year. Studies have shown that children as young as the age of 9 are able to learn and retain CPR skills.
The Mobile CPR Training Kiosk is sponsored by Genworth. To learn more about Hands-Only CPR and how to save a life, visit www.heart.org/nation.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
