Red Cross and Red Crescent partner with Snap for an AR lens that gives a true-to-life CPR demo

October 16th was World Restart a Heart Day, which aims to familiarize more people with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. To tap into a new audience of potential first-aid providers, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) partnered with Snap to create a Snapchat lens that brings CPR to life.

The new lens applies augmented reality to show people how to restart a heart in an emergency. After opening the lens in Snapchat, users are shown a life-sized ill or injured figure, plus a second figure going through the process of performing CPR, from checking for responsiveness to using an AED.

While it isn't meant to replace formal instruction, the lens provides a first introduction and encourages people to visit their local Red Cross or Red Crescent website for more information on in-person CPR training. The lens is available in English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Sweden, Japanese, Hindi and Norwegian.