BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) — The American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR Mobile Tour stopped in Bowling Green at Western Kentucky University to teach free, life-saving lessons to the campus community.

During the event on Monday afternoon, participants practiced CPR chest compressions on “manikins”, learned how to work an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and were able to walk away with some helpful tools.

“They get to take home a “Mini Anne Manikin.” And what’s amazing about the “Mini Anne”, it has a built-in clicker that teaches how hard and fast to push in the center of the chest, and it has a clicking sound that also helps with the rate,” says Mary Rachel Gardner, who helped with the training.

The mobile unit emphasizes the “two-step” process, which means if you see a someone in need of CPR, immediately call 9-1-1, and then begin hands-only chest compressions.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year, and the hands-only CPR method has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR.

The mobile unit is hoping to teach as many people as possible about these techniques they say can help save a life.

“We’re traveling to 22 cities [across the country],” says Gardner, “at each stop we are handing out free kits, the event is free as well.”

To learn more about the Hands-Only CPR campaign, we have attached website links to this story.