In a significant push to save more lives from sudden cardiac arrest, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Football League (NFL) are teaming up to educate Americans about the critical importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This collaboration comes as new survey data shows an increase in CPR readiness among U.S. adults, with 35% now feeling confident to perform CPR, up from 30% in 2021.
The initiative, known as the Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, was launched in 2023 following the on-field cardiac arrest of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin. Now, the AHA has unveiled its 2024-2025 Nation of Lifesaver Ambassador Class, comprising current NFL players who will support efforts to build CPR awareness through public service announcements, social media content, and local community education events.
Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the crucial role of CPR education in saving lives during cardiac emergencies. The collaboration with the NFL is part of the AHA’s commitment to double survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030.
The ambassador class includes players from various NFL teams, such as DeeJay Dallas from the Arizona Cardinals, Bradley Pinion from the Atlanta Falcons, and Damar Hamlin from the Buffalo Bills, who also serves as the National Ambassador for the Nation of Lifesavers.
To bring CPR training to communities, the NFL Foundation is providing grants to each team for local initiatives. These grants have funded Hands-Only CPR training, placement of CPR in Schools Kits, and CPR Youth Sports Kits. Additionally, all 32 NFL teams received funds to place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in local youth sports programs, schools, and community areas.
The initiative also focuses on educating children about CPR. According to the AHA, children as young as 9 can perform CPR, while those as young as 4 can support by calling 911. The NFL is supporting kid-focused CPR education through the AHA’s in-school programs, with incentives such as Super Bowl tickets for students who learn Hands-Only CPR.
As part of the collaboration, the Nation of Lifesavers Mobile CPR Unit has appeared at recent Super Bowls and NFL Drafts, offering Hands-Only CPR training to thousands of fans. The unit is scheduled to appear at future events, including Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans and the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The American Heart Association and NFL are also founding members of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which advocates for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based public policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. This is particularly crucial as cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death for student-athletes nationwide.
With nearly 75% of cardiac arrests outside of hospitals occurring in homes, knowing how to perform CPR is vital. The AHA emphasizes that 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.
This collaboration between the AHA and NFL represents a significant step towards creating a nation of lifesavers, equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively in cardiac emergencies. By leveraging the popularity of NFL players and the reach of both organizations, this initiative has the potential to significantly increase CPR awareness and readiness across the United States, ultimately saving more lives from sudden cardiac arrest.
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