News

CPR kiosk at DFW teaches travelers to save lives

July 10, 2013

Passengers at the Dallas/Fort-Worth International Airport can now learn how to save a life while killing time waiting for a flight.

The American Heart Association and American Airlines Occupational HealthServices have unveiled the Hands-Only CPR kiosk. The automated self-service kiosk, complete with a rubber torso and interactive touchscreen, provides feedback to users about the depth, rate of compression and proper hand placement for Hands-Only CPR.

The video program gives a brief introduction to the steps of Hands-Only CPR, followed by a practice session and a 30-second CPR test on a mannequin. The kiosk also is equipped with an audio system that bumps the Bee Gee's classic "Stayin' Alive," which is credited as having a perfectly timed beat for proper CPR compressions.

"'Stayin' Alive' is not just a disco song; it also really can help people save lives," said Merrilee Sweet, national director for community markets for the American Heart Association, in the article on dallasnews.com. "The beats per minute ... actually helps people remember the proper rate to do compressions."

The American Heart Association recently began promoting the Hands-Only CPR method, which requires no rescue breaths, hoping it will encourage more people to take action during an emergency.

"Every American should know the simple steps of Hands-Only CPR," said Ahamed Idris M.D., a spokesman for the American Heart Association and professor of Surgery and Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. "We hope the Hands-Only CPR kiosk at DFW Airport really takes off — we'd love to see other high-traffic places do the same so more people can learn this lifesaving skill."

The Hands-Only CPR kiosk will remain in Terminal C, Gate 7 for a six-month trial period.

Read more about custom kiosks.