This personal project aimed to make important, potentially life-saving information more accessible, especially for those who might find themselves in the presence of someone who has just gone into cardiac arrest and needs immediate help. The truth is, most untrained individuals often feel unsure about performing CPR that includes rescue breaths, and many people don’t realize that Hands-Only CPR is effective. In 2012, the American Heart Association launched a campaign specifically to promote Hands-Only CPR and encourage more people to take action during emergencies. When people understand that CPR without mouth-to-mouth can still save lives, they’re more likely to help.
Why "HeartCard"?
Simply because the HeartCard is designed like a regular business card to fit easily in a wallet for quick access. It's meant to be read repeatedly to help reinforce the information. The simple 3-step instructions are easy to follow and even encourage the cardholder to pass it to someone else nearby if they don't feel confident helping. Another bystander might feel empowered to step in after reading the brief guide.
Email signature add-on
Another way to share this information was through the HeartCard signature add-on for email. It was a footer signature image that was not meant to replace personal or company email signatures, but to be added beneath them—spreading the information to everyone who receives an email. Recipients were also encouraged to copy the add-on and include it in their own signatures, helping the message reach even more people.
Activation & Results
Between 2019 and 2020, HeartCards were distributed in both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, along with the email signature add-ons. While the impact of this personal project can’t be precisely measured, I’m grateful and honored to have shared life-saving knowledge and contributed to the community in a meaningful way.
Hands-Only CPR Sources
