CPR Training Kiosk Empowers Long Islanders to Save Lives

FARMINGDALE, N.Y., Oct. 28, 2025 — The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, today launched and held a ribbon cutting for the region’s first Hands-Only CPR training kiosk at Farmingdale State College, SUNY. The kiosk, located at Nold Hall, marks the first of its kind in the New York metropolitan area and is sponsored by Webster Bank.

As the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, education and training, and publisher of the official scientific guidelines for CPR, the American Heart Association recently released newly updated CPR clinical guidelines on Oct. 22. The launch of the kiosk reinforces the Association’s commitment to making lifesaving CPR education more accessible to everyone, everywhere.

The interactive kiosk teaches the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR through a touch screen video program that includes a short introduction, a practice session and a 30-second test. With the use of a practice manikin, the kiosk provides real-time feedback on the depth, rate and hand placement of compressions—key factors in effective CPR. The entire training takes less than five minutes to complete. The kiosk is mobile and will move to different locations across Long Island over the next three years.

Long Islanders got a first look at the kiosk during its soft launch at the Long Island Heart Walk on Sept. 28. The initiative aims to transform bystanders into lifesavers by making CPR education more accessible to the public.

“Every second counts during a cardiac emergency and learning Hands-Only CPR can mean the difference between life and death,” said Kathleen Stanley, executive managing director for commercial banking at Webster Bank and chairperson of the American Heart Association’s Long Island Board of Directors. “Through efforts like this kiosk, we’re helping to build a Nation of Lifesavers, people who are ready and confident to step in when it matters most.”

More than 350,000 people in the United States experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year, including 23,000 children. Sadly, 90% do not survive. Anyone can learn CPR, including children as young as nine, and bystanders who act quickly can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

The two simple steps of Hands-Only CPR are: if you see a teen or adult collapse, first call 9-1-1, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Popular songs like “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees provide the right rhythm for chest compressions.

Studies show that Black adults and other historically underrepresented groups are less likely to receive bystander CPR. Additionally, women are 22% less likely to receive CPR than men, often due to fear or a lack of knowledge. By offering free, accessible CPR education, the new kiosk aims to close these gaps and improve survival rates for all.

“This kiosk gives our community the opportunity to learn a lifesaving skill in just minutes,” said Tara Schneider, executive director of the American Heart Association on Long Island. “Our goal is to inspire more people to step in and act. With tools like this, we can truly change outcomes and save more lives.”

To learn more about Hands-Only CPR and how to save a life, visit www.heart.org/nation.

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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, Instagram, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

Bong Arquiza: [email protected]

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

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