Fire, EMS agencies urge CPR training in wake of NFL player’s mid-game medical emergency

By FireRescue1 Staff

CINCINNATI — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin remains at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical care Wednesday, two days after experiencing cardiac arrest during an NFL game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Following the event, countless organizations have taken to social media to express their thoughts and prayers for the the 24-year-old safety as well as their admiration for EMS crews who rushed to Hamlin’s aid to provide emergency medical care – with millions watching.

Similarly, several fire and EMS agencies have shared CPR best practices and cardiac care information, urging members of their communities to seek CPR training.

cardiac care awareness and CPR Training information

With everybody’s attention now riveted on sudden cardiac arrest, a reminder that early CPR is the 1st step in the chain of survival. We teach hands only CPR. It just takes minutes to learn. To schedule a class, contact us at hands.onhearts@dc.gov. #DCsBravest

— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 3, 2023

Understanding cardiac arrest and emergency response following Damar Hamlin’s collapse during Monday Night Footballhttps://t.co/ZrjMh4QuOC

— American Heart News (@HeartNews) January 3, 2023

CPR saves lives.

Learn the life-saving skills from the GVFD at an upcoming Hands-Only CPR & AED Training course Thu, Feb 9, 7 pm at Brookview.

Find more training dates and registration information here > https://t.co/XkvuTP06oy https://t.co/xKdA9nKFCT

— City of Golden Valley, MN Fire Department (@GVMNFire) January 3, 2023

Provider pride

This has been a time of pride, too, for the way those on the field performed after Hamlin collapsed.

Last night the world saw US #paramedics at their best, performing under incredible pressure, doing their job expertly. The #EMS system did its job. This cements the critical role of EMS as a part of the #healthcare system.

— Kevin Collopy, MHL, FP-C, NRP (@ktcollopy) January 3, 2023

These trainers/paramedics/doctors/etc were working on Hamlin in front of 65k fans, with millions tuning in, surrounded by 100+ players closely watching and went through several minutes of trying to restore his heartbeat — which they did.

Just amazing. Hope good news continues🙏🏼 https://t.co/fXqEpQMrbx

— Steve Benko (@SteveBenko) January 3, 2023

Last tweet regarding this: obviously this is very serious. However, I am incredibly proud of the EMS and the paramedics who responded so swiftly. Those crucial seconds and mins are crucial to prognosis. I hope and pray that Damar Hamlin recovers from this terrible health crisis. https://t.co/f2rUiOb5mn

— Riyaz Manjiyani, PT, DPT (@RiyazManjiyani) January 3, 2023