After suffering cardiac arrest in the field, Hamlin joined forces with the American Heart Association to stress the importance of CPR
Anyone who watches the Jan. 2 Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals will surely remember the moment Damar Hamlin collapsed minutes into the first quarter.
The 24-year-old Bills safety was struck in the chest during a tackle, stood up and then fell, prompting a swarm of team doctors to storm the field and begin to administer treatment. Within 10 seconds, Hamlin began receiving CPR in the field, before being taken to a local hospital in critical condition.1 After being transferred to a hospital in Buffalo, Hamlin announced on January 11 that he was being discharged from the hospital to continue his rehabilitation program at home and with his team.2
And on February 1, Hamlin marked the start of American Heart Month, launching the #3forHeart CPR Challenge in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA).3.4
The 3-step social media challenge is simple, calling on people to learn CPR, donate to the AHA to fund CPR education and training, and share the campaign using the hashtag #3forHeart on social media.
“I am thrilled to team up with the American Heart Association,” Hamlin said in an AHA statement.3 “This will be a tremendous opportunity to influence and educate millions of people on the importance of CPR. It literally saved my life. »
To kick off the campaign, Hamlin challenged LA Lakers star LeBron James, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and former first lady Michelle Obama.3
Video copyright Jaster Athletes. Courtesy of the American Heart Association.
According to the AHA, more than 436,000 Americans die each year from cardiac arrest. Globally, cardiac arrest is responsible for more deaths than colorectal, breast and prostate cancers; flu, pneumonia; car accidents; HIV; fire arms; and house fires — combined. Basically, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen each year outside of a hospital, and data shows that CPR can double or triple an individual’s chances of survival.5
Unfortunately, only about 40% of people who have a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital receive the immediate care they need before emergency medical services arrive.5
CPR is a core competency for healthcare providers, and many pharmacy schools and training programs require certification in CPR courses, as do many state pharmacy boards. Pharmacists licensed to administer vaccines must also hold valid certification in CPR; according to the American Pharmacists Association Pharmacy-Based Vaccination Certificate Training Program,6 although certification in CPR or Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) is not a prerequisite for the program, the resulting certificate of achievement is not valid “without written evidence of current certification in CPR or BCLS”.
“The world watched in fear as Damar collapsed during that game,” AHA CEO Nancy Brown said in a statement.3 “But if you follow his advice, you can become a lifeline in 3 steps, and you’ll know what to do in case an adult or teenager suddenly collapses in your presence.”
“Because most cardiac arrests that happen outside of a hospital happen at home, the life you save will most likely be that of a loved one,” Brown added. “The volunteers, supporters and staff of the American Heart Association are very grateful that he is paying for it and helping to ensure that others also have a better chance of a positive outcome.”3
For more information on the #3forHeart campaign, visit heart.org/3forheart.
Thumbnail image copyright Jaster Athletes / Shane McFarland. Courtesy of the American Heart Association.
References
- Close D, Sanchez R. A timeline of the NFL’s response to Damar Hamlin’s collapse. CNN. Published January 3, 2023. Accessed February 2, 2023. https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/03/us/damar-hamlin-bills-nfl-response-timeline/index.html
- Cwik C. Damar Hamlin was released from the hospital, cleared for rehab at home and with the Bills. Yahoo! Sports. Published January 11, 2023. Accessed February 2, 2023. https://sports.yahoo.com/damar-hamlin-discharged-from-hospital-cleared-to-rehab-at-home-and-with-the-bills-170154829.html
- Damar Hamlin launches #3forHeart CPR Challenge. Press release. American Heart Association. February 1, 2023. Accessed February 2, 2023. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/damar-hamlin-launches-3forheart-cpr-challenge
- Damar Hamlin’s #3forHeart CPR Challenge. American Heart Association. Accessed February 2, 2023. https://www.heart.org/en/damar-hamlins-3-for-heart-cpr-challenge
- CPR facts and statistics. American Heart Association. Accessed February 2, 2023. https://cpr.heart.org/en/resources/cpr-facts-and-stats
- Administration of vaccination in pharmacy. American Association of Pharmacists. Accessed February 2, 2023. https://www.pharmacist.com/Education/Certificate-Training-Programs/Immunization