Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has teamed up with the American Heart Association (AHA) for his #3ForHeart CPR Challenge. Hamlin collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest, just moments after being hit in the chest during the Bills' January 2nd game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Medical personnel worked on Hamlin for approximately ten minutes using life-saving resuscitative measures, including CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED)
Hamlin is issuing the CPR challenge to promote use of the emergency procedure that saved his life on national television. "I'm excited to be teaming up with the American Heart Association. It's going to be an amazing opportunity to impact and educate millions of people on the importance of CPR. It literally saved my life." Hamlin said in a press release on the AHA's website.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed when the heart stops beating and if started immediately, it can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. People are encouraged to participate in all three steps to learn and promote education of "hands-only CPR".
Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the AHA said, "The world watched in fear when Damar collapsed during that game but if you follow his advice, you can become a lifesaver in 3 steps, and you’ll know what to do in the event an adult or teen suddenly collapses in your presence. Because most cardiac arrests that happen outside of a hospital occur in the home, the life you save will most likely be a loved one. The volunteers, supporters and staff of the American Heart Association are so grateful that he is paying it forward and helping ensure others also have a better chance for a positive outcome.”
You can learn more about Hamlin's #3forHeart challenge or the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org/en/
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