On Friday, April 24, during day two of the NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., the American Heart Association, alongside the National Football League, Damar Hamlin's Chasing M's Foundation, and Doctor Mike, taught 1,293 people Hands-Only CPR in one hour, earning a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title. This effort expands the Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers movement, which aims to double the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest by 2030 through CPR education and training.
Cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of death in the United States, affecting 350,000 people every year, with only 10% surviving. More than half of cardiac arrest victims outside a hospital do not receive CPR before emergency responders arrive. However, immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival. Hands-Only CPR takes as little as 90 seconds to learn and requires no formal training, making it a simple yet powerful skill.
"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," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association.
The Nation of Lifesavers was launched in 2023 following the sudden cardiac arrest of NFL player Damar Hamlin during Monday Night Football. Hamlin, Buffalo Bills Safety and National Ambassador for the initiative, emphasized the importance of the record-setting event. "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," Hamlin said.
The record-setting effort was inspired by Dr. Mike Varshavski, known as Doctor Mike, a board-certified family medicine physician and health influencer with 30 million social media followers. "Breaking this record shows how quickly people can learn a lifesaving skill," said Doctor Mike. "In just one hour, nearly 1,300 people learned what the American Heart Association and I say every day, which is 'chest compressions, chest compressions, chest compressions.' Providing CPR gives someone the best chance of survival."
The collaboration between the American Heart Association and the NFL continues year-round through community-based CPR education, youth health programs, and national advocacy efforts. With support from the NFL Foundation, teams across the country are expanding access to CPR training and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in local communities. "Today's record reflects what's possible when we come together around a shared purpose," said Anna Isaacson, NFL SVP of Social Responsibility. "We're thrilled to stand alongside the American Heart Association and the Chasing M's Foundation as we successfully set a world record, and, more importantly, equip thousands of people with the skills to make a lifesaving difference."
Nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests happen at home, making it crucial for more people to know how to respond. If a teen or adult collapses, witnesses should immediately call 9-1-1 and begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute and a depth of approximately two inches. Hands-Only CPR is recommended for adults, while infants and children require traditional CPR with breaths. To learn more or to take the 90-second training, visit www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.
