As the World Ice Art Championship prepares to welcome thousands of visitors to its dazzling annual showcase, volunteers are getting ready in a new way this year by learning Hands‑Only CPR through a partnership with the American Red Cross of Alaska.

This collaboration brings lifesaving training directly to the Ice Art volunteer team, ensuring they feel confident and prepared as crowds every year. For World Ice Art Championship Executive Director Sue McGrew, the partnership is about more than safety, it’s about empowering the people who make the event happen.

“I think it's really important for volunteers to have the skills necessary to attend to any situation,” McGrew shared. “I just want to make sure that all the volunteers, no matter what station you're working, have confidence that they can move forward and not feel like they're doing something wrong. Be prepared.”

Hands‑Only CPR is quick to learn and incredibly effective in emergencies. Every second counts to help save a person’s life with CPR and an AED.  Each year, more than 300,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest in the U.S. It usually occurs in adults — although it can happen to anyone without warning

By offering this training to Ice Art volunteers, the Red Cross hopes to expand the number of community members who feel ready to take action when seconds matter most.

McGrew notes that the evolving size of the event makes this training especially valuable. “So every year, we've had more and more visitors on site, and when it's a small crowd, it's pretty easy to manage. But as you realize, oh, there's a lot of people here, there are more accidents, you know, I want people to feel comfortable when they come in to volunteer, and that they feel that they can help and act efficiently.”

In addition to providing training, Red Cross volunteers will also be supporting the World Ice Art Championship during the first week of March—perfect timing as communities across the country celebrate March is Red Cross Month. Their presence will help ensure a safe, welcoming environment for visitors and artists from around the world.

By bringing together the creativity of ice artists and the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross, this partnership is shaping a stronger, safer event for everyone involved. Reach out to your local Red Cross office to request a hand-only CPR demonstration for your business or organization.