Dallas, TX- (NewMediaWire) - April 25, 2024 -  The National Football League (NFL) and the American Heart Association want more people to be confident and capable when faced with a cardiac emergency as 9 out of every 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die[1]. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. The Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, supported by the NFL, is the Association’s most recent  commitment to CPR with the declaration to double survival rates of cardiac arrest by 2030.

“Nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of the hospital occur in homes. Knowing how to perform CPR is critically important. Seconds can literally be the difference between life and death for someone you know and love," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “This is the 100th year of the American Heart Association and we are continuing our mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. That's a responsibility we take very seriously."

The American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers Mobile CPR Unit will be on site at the NFL Draft Experience at Hart Plaza along the river in downtown Detroit. CPR trainers will provide Hands-Only CPR instruction to the public Thursday, April 25 - Saturday, April 27. In this walk-up style instruction, participants will learn the correct rate and depth of CPR compressions.

Compression-only CPR known as Hands-Only CPR can be equally effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of emergency response. It is a skill everyone can learn. Simply call 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse and then push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

The sudden cardiac arrest of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during Monday Night Football in January 2023 sparked the American Heart Association’s CPR movement, the Nation of Lifesavers. Hamlin, as the National Ambassador, champions work alongside the Association to add lifesavers to the chain of survival.

For more than 6 decades, the American Heart Association has led the way as the global leader in resuscitation science, education and training, and as the official publisher of the guidelines for CPR. Through the Nation of Lifesavers initiative, the Association is committed to turning a nation of bystanders into lifesavers. The multi-year initiative supports CPR education, extends automated external defibrillator (AED) use and engages employers, policymakers, philanthropists and others to increase the chain of survival. The long-term goal is to ensure that in the face of a cardiac emergency, everyone, everywhere is prepared and empowered to perform CPR.

"The NFL is thrilled to have the American Heart Association on site at the Draft Experience in Detroit to help teach fans the importance of CPR and heart health,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL SVP of Social Responsibility. “Even amidst the fun and excitement of the Draft, we know the importance of providing thousands of fans access to this lifesaving skill.”

This marks the fourth appearance of the Association’s Mobile CPR Unit at a national sporting event with previous appearances at Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix, the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas and the 2024 NBA All-star Weekend in Indianapolis.

Since Mr. Hamlin’s experience in January 2023, the American Heart Association has worked alongside half of the NFL teams to offer education opportunities for staff or their communities. The Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Seattle Seahawks have offered Hands-Only CPR or Heartsaver® CPR AED courses, which provides the highest quality evidence-based training in the lifesaving skills of CPR.

The Association encourages everyone, regardless of where they live, to take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life now at www.heart.org/nation.

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About the American Heart Association 

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.    

For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173

Linzy Cotaya: 504-872-3446; linzy.cotaya@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org