NFL’s Damar Hamlin Collapses From SCA: What You Need to Know About CPR and AEDs

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is still the number one cause of death among athletes, leaving coaches, teammates, and parents with the undeniable truth that they must be prepared for in this type of emergency.³ Monday night’s Buffalo Bill’s game left NFL fans everywhere praying for the recovery of safety, Damar Hamlin after he took a hit that has reportedly resulted in SCA. This triggered the NFL to carry out an Emergency Action Plan that resulted in calling 911, starting chest compressions, and retrieving their automated external defibrillator (AED). We remain hopeful for Hamlin’s recovery and credit the medical staff’s rapid response in the utilization of CPR and deploying an AED.²

There is no doubt that the two main components in Damar Hamlin’s sudden cardiac arrest survival involve both CPR and an AED. Having an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) nearby and training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) raises the chances of survival from SCA, however, you may not know much about either of these lifesavers – let us break down some FAQs about CPR and AED.

Q. What is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)?

A. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a first aid technique that can help keep people suffering from SCA or another medical emergency alive until medical professionals can take over. CPR can help double or even triple the survival of victims of a SCA.¹

Q. What is the Purpose of CPR?

A. When a person stops breathing or their heart stops, CPR keeps blood pumping throughout the body to help keep vital organs functioning. The goal of CPR is to keep oxygen flowing in and out of the lungs to allow oxygenated blood to flow throughout the rest of the body.

Q. Do You Have to Be a Professional to Perform CPR?

A.  No! CPR training can be a skill that anyone can learn. For individuals who take on a busier schedule, online courses for the text-based portion of the training can be completed at your own pace. Once the online portion is complete, a 3-4 hour hands-on workshop finishes up the training before getting a certificate. There are even online-only knowledge courses to give individuals an idea of the basics. Who knew such a short course could provide such a lifesaving technique?

Q. Where Can I Take CPR Courses?

A. CPR courses are offered in a variety of formats through a number of providers. We recommend utilizing coursework from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or Health and Safety Institute. Several nationwide providers are eligible to offer this coursework in formats such as on-location, virtually, or even fully online. In addition, some cities offer drop-in training that you can schedule near your home.

Q. What is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?

A. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a small, portable medical device that uses pads to analyze heart rhythm and shock to restart a victim’s heart. Bystanders, as well as medical professionals, can use AEDs.

Q. How Does an AED Work?

A. After being attached to the AED pads, the device can measure an unresponsive person’s heart rhythm and deliver shocks as needed to restart or shock the heart back into the correct rhythm. Automated instructions, voice or text, will prompt the AED user on how to proceed. If defibrillation is necessary, the device warns individuals to stay clear of the victim while the shock is delivered. If necessary, the AED will then instruct the rescuer to continue performing CPR.

Q. How Do I Know When to Use an AED?

A. Sudden cardiac arrest can occur anytime, anywhere, and without any sign of warning. If someone becomes suddenly unresponsive, stops breathing, or does not respond when you tap or shake them firmly, immediately call 911, have someone close by search for the nearest AED, and begin performing CPR.

Q. Where Can I Find an AED?

A. Typical AED laws vary by state, however, many states require AEDs in most public areas like sports stadiums, schools, gyms, and community centers. AEDs should be in an open, easily accessible area with public access. If you don’t know where your school, office, or gym keeps their AED, it’s not a bad idea to find out in case of an emergency. 

Have more questions? Visit our resources page to learn more about how you can be prepared to take action in case of a life-threatening emergency like SCA.

References

¹ American Heart Association. (2023). What is CPR? cpr.heart.org. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://cpr.heart.org/en/resources/what-is-cpr

² Provencher, M. (2023, January 4). Former NFL team doctor explains Damar Hamlin's collapse, medical staff protocols. FOX Sports. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/former-nfl-team-physician-explains-damar-hamlin-injury

³ Services, B. D. M. (2023). Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in sports: The most common medical cause of death in athletes. Bangkok Heart Hospital. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://www.bangkokhearthospital.com/en/content/sudden-cardiac-death-scd-in-sports-the-most-common-medical-cause-of-death-in-athletes