Actor Jocko Sims brings home importance of learning Hands-Only CPR for World Restart a Heart Day

(NewMediaWire) – October 16, 2020 – LOS ANGELES – Actor, writer and producer Jocko Sims, who stars as Dr. Floyd Reynolds on the NBC show New Amsterdam, teamed up with the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, and one of its local market sponsors, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, on a video that brings attention to the importance and ease of learning Hands-Only CPR.

The video, which was released today on social media in conjunction with World Restart a Heart Day, features Sims demonstrating the two easy steps of Hands-Only CPR, which has been shown to be as equally effective in potentially saving the life of a person in cardiac arrest as conventional mouth-to-mouth CPR. Hands-Only CPR is recommended for use by people who see an adult suddenly collapse in an out-of-hospital setting.

Cardiac arrest — an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and disrupts the flow of blood to the brain, lungs and other organs — is a leading cause of death. Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States and about 70 percent happen in homes.

“With many of us spending more time at home these days, it is so important to know what to do in a cardiac emergency,” said Sims. “I’m amazed at how two easy steps can potentially save the life of someone I love and I’m proud to join the American Heart Association and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in empowering people to learn this lifesaving technique.”

When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby. According to the American Heart Association, about 90%of people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

Hands-Only CPR has two easy steps performed in this order: 1) Call 911 if you see a teen or adult collapse and unresponsive, then 2) push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a song with 100-120 beats per minute, like the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” or Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love.”

“Parents and children as young as 12 can learn how to save a life by practicing hands-only CPR,” says Paul Kantor, chief of the Division of Cardiology and co-director the Heart Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “It will be of great benefit to our communities if adults and younger teenagers learn the simple steps required in emergency CPR.”

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a local supporter and home to an American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR training kiosk, which instructed more than 10,000 users between February 2019 to February 2020.

To learn more about Hands-Only CPR, visit heart.org/handsonlycpr. 

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For National Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173

Monica Sales: 214-706-1527; monica.sales@heart.org

For Los Angeles-related Inquiries:

Kristine Kelly: (213) 291-7080; Kristine.Kelly@heart.org  

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and strokeassociation.org