New Damar Hamlin PSA Set to Kick Off a Lifesaving Football Season
As the excitement of professional football returns to stadiums across the nation, there's a new player on the field – Damar Hamlin, a professional football player in the National Football League (NFL) and the national ambassador for the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ movement. Following his own cardiac arrest scare during a Monday Night Football game in early January, Hamlin has taken on a vital role in advocating for lifesaving skills that can make all the difference in a cardiac emergency. In this article, we'll explore Hamlin's journey, the mission of the Nation of Lifesavers movement, and the importance of knowing CPR and AED use in saving lives.
Damar Hamlin: A Lifesaving Inspiration
Damar Hamlin's story serves as an inspiring testament to the power of immediate action during a cardiac emergency. On January 2nd, during a televised game, Hamlin experienced a cardiac arrest that could have ended tragically. However, thanks to the quick response of those around him, including the activation of the chain of survival, Hamlin survived. Now, he is determined to ensure that more people understand the importance of CPR and AEDs in saving lives.
In a newly released public service announcement (PSA), Hamlin emphasizes the simple yet powerful mission of the Nation of Lifesavers: to educate and prepare individuals, especially teenagers and adults, to have the confidence and skills to save a life in a cardiac emergency. His personal experience serves as a reminder that we never know when we might be called upon to be a lifesaver.
The Importance of CPR and AEDs
The American Heart Association, a global leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, underscores the critical importance of CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) use. Shockingly, nearly three out of four cardiac arrests outside of a hospital setting occur in homes, making it imperative for individuals to know how to perform CPR effectively.
In the event of a cardiac arrest, immediate action is paramount. Unfortunately, less than half of all cardiac arrest victims receive CPR before professional responders arrive. However, if CPR is administered promptly, especially within the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest, it can significantly increase the victim's chances of survival – potentially doubling or tripling them.
Nancy Brown, the CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized that when seconds matter during a cardiac emergency, knowing how to respond can be the difference between life and death. The chain of survival involves early recognition, calling 911, providing high-quality CPR, and using an AED. Each link in this chain is essential, and every individual can play a role.
Nation of Lifesavers: A Long-Term Commitment
The Nation of Lifesavers movement, launched earlier this year, aims to transform bystanders into lifesavers. This multi-year initiative focuses on educating teenagers and adults about CPR and AED use, encouraging them to share this knowledge with friends and family, and engaging with employers, policymakers, philanthropists, and others to garner support for this life-saving cause.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that, in the face of a cardiac emergency, everyone is prepared and empowered to perform CPR, becoming a vital link in the chain of survival. Since its inception, the American Heart Association has collaborated with the NFL and various NFL clubs to educate people on Hands-Only CPR and provide training in Heartsaver® CPR AED courses.
Several NFL teams, including the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots, have actively participated in these training and education opportunities, both for their staff and local communities. The Buffalo Bills, as the first sponsor of the Nation of Lifesavers, have committed to a five-year plan that includes advancing education, awareness, and distributing CPR resources to under-resourced communities.
Creating a Nation of Lifesavers also involves advocating for policy changes at both federal and state levels. The American Heart Association supports the federal Access to AEDs Act, a program designed to provide CPR and AED training, purchase AEDs, and create cardiac emergency response plans for K-12 schools.
Additionally, the Association is a founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, along with major sports leagues like the NFL. This coalition is dedicated to promoting evidence-based public policies that can prevent fatal outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest among high school students.
Hands-Only CPR: Learn to Save a Life
One of the key messages of the Nation of Lifesavers movement is the importance of Hands-Only CPR. This technique involves chest compression-only CPR and can be equally effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of an emergency response.
If you witness a teen or adult suddenly collapse, the steps are straightforward:
- Immediately call emergency services.
- Begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute, with a depth of approximately two inches.
The American Heart Association encourages everyone, regardless of where they live or their level of experience, to take just 90 seconds to learn how to save a life. Visit www.heart.org/nation to access resources and information that can empower you to become a lifesaver.
Damar Hamlin's remarkable journey from a cardiac arrest survivor to a national ambassador for the Nation of Lifesavers movement is a testament to the power of immediate action and education. As football season kicks off, his message is clear: we all have the potential to be lifesavers. By knowing CPR, using AEDs, and understanding the chain of survival, we can make a significant difference in the outcomes of cardiac emergencies. Let's embrace this opportunity to become a nation of lifesavers and ensure that, when it matters most, we are prepared to step in and save a life.
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