Oklahoma State Basketball Team Learns Life-Saving CPR Skills, Joins Nation of Lifesavers Initiative

The Oklahoma State University (OSU) men's basketball team has taken a significant step off the court by participating in American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR training. This initiative is part of the Association's Nation of Lifesavers movement, which aims to double survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest by 2030. The team's involvement highlights the critical importance of CPR education in saving lives and improving community health outcomes.

According to American Heart Association data, 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, partly because they do not receive immediate CPR more than half of the time. However, CPR performed immediately can double or triple a person's chance of survival, underscoring the vital nature of this training.

The OSU basketball team's commitment extended beyond learning CPR. During their October 26 game against Southern Methodist University at Gallagher-Iba Arena, the team raised funds to support the American Heart Association's mission through the Eddie Sutton Foundation. Additionally, they donated two American Heart Association CPR in Schools kits to local high schools, underwritten by Devon Energy. These kits, which include training manikins and AED resources, will facilitate ongoing community education on proper CPR techniques and AED use.

Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, emphasized the critical nature of early recognition and action in cardiac emergencies. "When seconds matter, it is important to have people nearby who are confident and capable of beginning administering CPR," Brown stated. She added that each CPR training brings the Association closer to ensuring widespread preparedness for cardiac emergencies.

The importance of this initiative is underscored by statistics showing that nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of hospitals occur in homes, with more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring annually in the US. OSU men's basketball coach Steve Lutz expressed pride in the team's participation, noting that the skills learned extend beyond the basketball court and into everyday life.

This training aligns with recent legislative progress in Oklahoma. As part of the Smart Hearts Sports Coalition, the American Heart Association successfully advocated for a statewide policy requiring cardiac emergency response plans in all public schools and school athletic facilities. This policy, signed into law in July 2024, will benefit over 698,000 students, 42,000 teachers, and numerous staff and visitors across 1,805 public school sites in Oklahoma.

The American Heart Association's efforts, including its role in the NFL-founded Smart Heart Sports Coalition, aim to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students nationwide. With as many as 23,000 children under 18 experiencing cardiac arrest outside of hospitals annually, and about 40% occurring among student-athletes, these initiatives are crucial for saving young lives.

As the OSU basketball team joins the Nation of Lifesavers, their actions serve as a powerful example of how sports teams and educational institutions can contribute to public health initiatives. By learning and promoting CPR skills, they are not only preparing themselves to respond in emergencies but also inspiring others to acquire these life-saving abilities. This collaborative effort between sports, education, and healthcare organizations demonstrates a comprehensive approach to improving cardiac arrest outcomes and fostering a culture of preparedness and community responsibility.