Damar Hamlin, Doctor Mike Varshavski, the American Heart Association, and the National Football League helped set a new Guinness World Record on April 24 by training nearly 1,300 people in Hands-Only CPR during the NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
The event addressed a critical gap in cardiac arrest survival rates. More than half of people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not receive CPR before emergency responders arrive. The record-setting session aimed to increase community preparedness and potentially double survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest by 2030 through widespread CPR education.
American Heart Association instructors taught Hands-Only CPR to 1,293 participants within one hour. Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, said: “Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. This record-setting moment with our incredible collaborators is about more than a number—it represents nearly 1,300 people who are now prepared to step in and help save a life. That’s how we build a Nation of Lifesavers.”
Cardiac arrest affects approximately 350,000 people annually in the United States but has only about a ten percent survival rate. Hands-Only CPR takes as little as ninety seconds to learn and does not require formal training. Damar Hamlin said: “As my experience with cardiac arrest has shown, CPR really does save lives. To see my hometown come together to set this record and learn this skill is incredibly meaningful, and I’m proud to see the NFL, the American Heart Association, and our community come together to build a life-saving legacy.” The initiative was also inspired by Dr. Mike Varshavski (Doctor Mike), who said: “Breaking this record shows how quickly people can learn a lifesaving skill… Now these people know, the power is in their hands.”
The collaboration between the American Heart Association and NFL includes year-round efforts such as community-based education programs and support from teams nationwide for expanded access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and additional training resources.
Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility said: “Today’s record reflects what’s possible when we come together around a shared purpose… we successfully set a world record, and more importantly equip thousands of people with skills to make a lifesaving difference.” Nearly three out of four cardiac arrests happen at home; knowing how to respond immediately can be crucial.
