The American Heart Association took over Times Square in New York City to set a new Guinness World Record - for the longest running set of consecutive chest compressions in a CPR Relay. It was a powerful day highlighting the real reasons why CPR training matters. The designation as a new Guinness World Record required that at least 250 people had to perform quality chest compressions in the relay. In the end, over 700 participated including survivors, clinicians, paramedics, teachers, students, families impacted by sudden cardiac arrest and more!
The American Heart Association hosted the event in New York City as part of National CPR & AED Awareness Week. Relay participants each took a turn performing at least 60 chest compressions at 100 beats per minute on a single mannequin, with five seconds or less between turns.
Lawrence Phillips, M.D., director of nuclear cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center and the visionary leader of this event, was No. 250 in the relay, officially setting the world record. In true New York fashion, we then obliterated the record by achieving 700 total participants!
The AHA also presented its New York Region Heartsaver Hero Awards at the event. The distinguished awards are presented to those who have directly attempted to rescue a victim of cardiac arrest or otherwise helped to strengthen the Chain of Survival.
Congratulations to each of our award winners:
Jim Palmer
Marcy Syms
Patti Kenner
Jerry Kertesz of the Anthem Foundation
KKR & Co., LP
Karen and John Acompora
Joe Mendrick
JJ Pesany
Annette Adamczak
Sue Denis
Consulado General De México en Nueva York
Jody Scopa Goldman
James M. Horowitz, MD
Steve Tannenbaum
Lynne Strong-Shinozaki
Dave Gill
Tommy Watson
Fire Department of New York
Brandon Johnson, MD
Nicholas Farber, MD
Lawrence M. Phillips, MD
*Photo by Angie Harrison
Be the first to comment