The American Heart Association and National Football League are expanding their collaboration to educate Americans about cardiopulmonary resuscitation through the Nation of Lifesavers movement, launched in 2023 following Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin's on-field cardiac arrest. New survey data shows 35% of U.S. adults now feel confident performing CPR, up from 30% in 2021, as the initiative works toward doubling survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030.
The AHA unveiled its 2024-2025 Nation of Lifesaver Ambassador Class featuring current NFL players who will support CPR awareness through public service announcements and community events. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the crucial role of CPR education in saving lives during cardiac emergencies. The ambassador class includes players from various NFL teams, with Damar Hamlin serving as National Ambassador for the Nation of Lifesavers.
The NFL Foundation is providing grants to each team for local initiatives, funding Hands-Only CPR training, placement of CPR in Schools Kits, and CPR Youth Sports Kits. All 32 NFL teams received funds to place automated external defibrillators in local youth sports programs, schools, and community areas. The initiative focuses on educating children about CPR, with the AHA noting children as young as 9 can perform CPR while those as young as 4 can support by calling 911.
The NFL supports kid-focused CPR education through the AHA's in-school programs, offering incentives such as Super Bowl tickets for students who learn Hands-Only CPR. 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 and 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 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 represents a significant step toward creating a nation of lifesavers equipped with knowledge and skills to respond effectively in cardiac emergencies, leveraging the popularity of NFL players and organizational reach to increase CPR awareness across the United States.
