On Jan. 2, 23.8 million viewers witnessed the collapse, cardiac arrest, and successful field resuscitation of Damar Hamlin. Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, was struck in the chest during the first quarter of a pivotal game against the Cincinnati Bengals when he shockingly collapsed. He lay motionless on the field for several minutes. The game was eventually suspended, and the nation held its breath.

News of this incident rapidly spread. On-field injuries, even very serious ones such as concussions, significant knee injuries and injuries involving the spinal cord, are a regular occurrence in the NFL, but this was different. It was clear even to the untrained eye that Hamlin’s life was on the line during those tense moments following his collapse.

Fortunately, this tragic incident, through the expert assistance of the team trainers, emergency responders, and a quality healthcare system, has had a happy ending. Hamlin, after quick action from sideline staff and medical professionals trained in CPR, recovered during the days and weeks following the incident. He was ultimately given a clean bill of health and cleared to play during the 2023 season. He participated in the Bills’ first padded practice of training camp on July 31.

This incident was arguably the most public first-response moment in which CPR had to be administered. The sheer media exposure of Hamlin’s collapse and resuscitation created a window of opportunity to build upon the success of the resuscitation, and to teach the importance of the links in the Chain of Survival to the entire country and possibly beyond. Read on to learn why it is so important to learn CPR, to use an AED and to understand the steps needed to be able to step in and save a life as a bystander.

Learning CPR is Easy, Spreading Awareness is Difficult

Put simply: rapid recognition, access to care, immediate CPR and rapid deployment of an AED works. Becoming CPR certified is a straightforward process which typically requires some time, a small fee and a willingness to learn. The primary challenge with getting individuals certified is a problem of awareness. Hamlin changed that.

Millions witnessed Hamlin’s on-field collapse.  Everyone took an interest in his treatment and recovery in the excellent hospitals in Cincinnati and Buffalo. Number 3, Hamlin’s jersey number, was worn by all the teams, and many buildings were flooded with Buffalo Bills blue lights. This young man has stepped up and is paying it forward.  

Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation, which was originally established to provide children’s toys to a daycare center in his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, received over $8 million after his sudden cardiac arrest.

The foundation has been dedicated to the development, health and safety of youth through sports, engagement activities, training & programming. Damar, states, “I’ll be sharing updates about programs, partnerships, and events that will encourage young people to live their dreams, raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and inspire others who face adversity.”

Damar Hamlin’s CPR Awareness Crusade

In addition to medical care, some rest and family time, Hamlin has been busy since his infamous incident. Here are some exciting events that are helping to move the “advocacy” ball down the field:

• Hamlin partnered with the American Heart Association to promote CPR awareness by creating a social media video promoting the 3 for Heart Challenge,
• The NFL announced the launch of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, a collaboration with those groups, such as Chasing M’s, to advocate for policies in all 50 states to prevent fatal outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest among high school athletes.
• Hamlin spoke on Capitol Hill with advocates from the You're the Cure network, sports leagues, health advocates, and the sponsors of the Access to AEDs Act. He noted that sudden cardiac arrest effects 7,000 children in schools every year. The schools with AEDs have a survival rate which is 7-times greater than those that do not have AEDs.
• Hamlin and his family were invited to meet President Joe Biden at the White House. After the meeting Biden tweeted out a video conversation between the two about Hamlin’s advocacy efforts.
• The Buffalo Bills Foundation announced a million-dollar donation and five-year collaboration with the American Heart Association. The work includes community CPR education, Bills training camp, game day events, social media awareness and education campaigns.
• In May, the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) announced that Damar was selected as the 2023 George Halas Award winner. The award goes to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.
• The first Bills Heart-Beat community event to learn Hands-Only CPR, was held at Highmark Stadium during this year’s National CPR & AED Awareness week. This marked the first stop of Damar’s Chasing M’s Foundation CPR Tour.

3 Things You Can Do to Keep Moving the Advocacy Ball Down the Field

1. Read the Access to AEDs Act. Share and discuss this act with your school administrators. Contact your representatives in Congress to support this bill.
2. Consider providing CPR and AED training in your community to strengthen the links in the Chain of Survival. Check in with your schools and sports programs to see if they are trained in CPR, have AEDs and know how to use them. Don’t forget to train the teachers, bus drivers, administrators, and hall monitors so we can cut into that horrible statistic of 7,000 child cardiac arrests in schools each year.
3. Learn more about advocacy and how to get involved. Politely celebrate and encourage survivors you know to get involved. There are likely no better advocates than those who survived a cardiac incident. they too can “pay it forward” using Damar’s efforts as an example.

The Buffalo Bills home opener this season is against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept.17. Perhaps this would be a great weekend opportunity for CPR awareness events in your community followed by a watch party celebrating Hamlin’s survival and his efforts to pay it forward.

Related Content:

• What The Resuscitation of Damar Hamlin Teaches us About CPR Training
• CPR Training: Why It Should Always Be CPR Week in Your Community

About the author:

Bob Elling, MPA, Paramedic (retired) – has been a career paramedic, educator, author, and EMS advocate since 1975. He was a paramedic with the Town of Colonie EMS Department, Albany Times Union Center, and Whiteface Mountain Medical Services. He was also an Albany Medical Center Clinical Instructor assigned to the Hudson Valley Community College Paramedic Program. Bob has served as National/Regional Faculty for the AHA and involved in many successful life-saving legislative campaigns with the You’re the Cure Network. He also served as paramedic and lieutenant for New York City EMS, a paramedic program director, and the associate director of New York State EMS Bureau. He has authored hundreds of articles, videos, and textbooks to prepare EMS providers for their career. Bob is the ECSI Medical Editor for the CPR and First Aid Series and Co-Lead Editor of Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets and EVOS.