Breakable Barriers: The Impact of Teaching Hands-Only CPR Within Marginalized Communities

Knowledge is power, and with that power comes the responsibility to share it. As physician assistant (PA) students, we have seen how life-saving skills like cardiopulmonary resusictation (CPR) can bridge gaps in equity and access. Yet, research reveals that minority communities are less likely to perform CPR during an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). For many, this hesitation stems from fear or lack of knowledge, and it is a critical problem. Each year, over 350,000 Americans experience OHCA, but only 40% receive timely bystander CPR, with significant disparities for women and minority communities. To address these disparities, we joined Coronary By-Physician Assistant Students (Coronary By-PASs), an initiative to teach hands-only CPR in Durham, NC. Founded by Duke PA Program alumna during her training, Coronary By-PASs focuses on overcoming barriers to CPR training, such as financial constraints and geographical inaccessibility. During our involvement, the program grew into a sustainable, student-led project, with a lasting impact on future cohorts. We taught CPR to diverse communities, many of whom had never received training before and built trust through meaningful engagement. One memorable moment came when a participant expressed feeling included for the first time because of diverse training manikins. This experience taught us not only how to teach CPR but also how to foster trust and hope within communities. Beyond CPR instruction, we gained invaluable skills in community planning, advocacy, and communication. Coronary By-PASs is not just a program; it is a model for bridging health care gaps and creating lasting change. We are committed to continuing this work, empowering communities and advancing health care equity.