by
CNN
—
Calling LeBron James, Tom Brady and Michelle Obama – Buffalo Bills star Damar Hamlin needs your help.
Hamlin on Tuesday launched a campaign, in partnership with the American Heart Association, to increase awareness and education about CPR.
The 24-year-old, who received life-saving CPR on the pitch after suffering cardiac arrest during a soccer game in January, announced the ‘3 For Heart CPR Challenge’ in a video on his social media.
“As you know, CPR saved my life earlier this year in the field. And CPR could easily save your life or save someone you love,” Hamlin said.
“That’s why I’m proud to announce that I’m partnering with the American Heart Association and launching Damar Hamlin’s Three for Heart CPR Challenge. And of course, this one has three steps.
“Step one, go to heart.org/3 to watch a short video to learn hands-on CPR. Step two, donate to the AHA to fund CPR awareness and education. And third stage, challenge three friends to do the same.
Buffalo Bills safety kicked off the initiative by challenging two American sports “GOATS” – NBA star LeBron James and NFL quarterback Tom Brady – as well as former first lady Michelle Obama.
Hamlin spoke publicly on Saturday for the first time since collapsing after making a tackle in the first quarter of the Bills-Bengals game on Jan. 2.
Doctors and coaches administered CPR to Hamlin on the pitch and he was rushed out of the stadium in an ambulance, leaving players, coaches, fans and those watching on TV in shock and unsure if he was alive.
Medical authorities said he suffered a cardiac arrest, meaning his heart suddenly stopped beating. The match was postponed and eventually called off.
Since then, Hamlin has made remarkable progress and was discharged from a Buffalo medical center on January 11.
Hamlin was in attendance for the Bills’ Divisional Round game against the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday, in which the Bills lost 27-10.
If you see someone with symptoms of cardiac arrest, call 911 immediately. You want to get professional help there as soon as possible. When the heart fails to pump blood to the brain and lungs, the person can suffer brain damage or die within minutes.
If you are in a public place, look for an automated external defibrillator or AED.
These lightweight devices bring a person’s heart back into a regular rhythm. An AED may seem intimidating, but it’s designed to be used by anyone, even untrained bystanders.
When you press the power button, the device gives you step-by-step voice instructions on where to place the pads on the person’s chest.
Once the electrodes are in place, the device measures the person’s heart rate. It will not deliver a shock if the person does not need it. But if they do, the DEA will tell you to step back and press a button to deliver the shock.
After using the AED—or right away if you don’t have access to one—start chest compressions.
Place your hands in the center of the person’s chest and press hard at 100 to 120 beats per minute. It can be helpful to hum a song with this tempo like “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake or “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga.
“You’re literally acting like an external heart,” Dr. Comilla Sasson, a practicing emergency physician and vice president for science and innovation for emergency cardiovascular care for the American Heart Association, previously told CNN.
It can get tiring, she says, so if someone else is nearby, ask them to take over when you need a break. If they don’t know about CPR, have them check you out first. “That’s what we do in the emergency room,” Sasson said.
Locking your elbows gives you more weight to push off. With an adult, you will typically use both hands for chest compressions. But if you’re helping a baby, use one hand.
“Some people will ask me, ‘What if I do chest compressions and break a rib and injure myself?’ I tell them that person is literally dead, and if they’re lucky enough to wake up because you gave them chest compressions, they’ll be glad you helped save their life. who have a broken rib,” Sasson said.
