The 88 Miss Arkansas and Miss Arkansas’ Teen contestants participated in a CPR training Sunday and Monday at the Robinson Center in Little Rock.
They were taught hands-only CPR through a training called CPR Experience, led by American Heart Association-Central Arkansas advocates Sophe Sligh, Bella Crowe and Cori Keller. Crowe is the 2024 Miss Arkansas Teen, and Keller is Miss Arkansas 2023.
“Teaching Hands-Only CPR to the Miss Arkansas and Miss Arkansas’ Teen contestants was a chance to equip young women with the power to save a life,” Sligh said. “As a registered nurse, I’ve seen how just one set of hands and one brave heart can make all the difference. These young women already inspire others, and now they’ll be ready to act when it matters most.”
Cardiac arrest affects more than 350,000 Americans outside of hospitals each year, and only about 10 percent will survive an attack, according to a press release. The American Heart Association is working to turn bystanders into lifesavers through the Nation of Lifesavers initiative. The goal is to reach 16 million people with CPR certification, training and awareness.
The association’s Go Red for Women movement and the Miss America Scholarship Foundation have a collaborative alliance that is focused on promoting heart health education and awareness. Go Red for Women works to raise awareness that cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death among women, and the fact that women receive bystander CPR at lower rates than men.
The competition continues at Robinson Center this week.
Feature Photo: Copyright Amber Nolen/Mockingbird Photography
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