The American Heart Association and the National Football League, alongside Damar Hamlin’s Chasing M’s foundation and social media physician Doctor Mike, will attempt to set the Guinness World Records title for Most people to complete CPR training in one hour. The event, scheduled for Friday, April 24, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh during the NFL Draft, aims to train 4,000 individuals in Hands-Only CPR. Registration for the free event is available at https://heart.org/NFLDraft.
The initiative addresses a critical public health issue: more than half of people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not receive immediate CPR, despite the procedure doubling or tripling survival chances. According to the American Heart Association, over 90% of people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest without immediate CPR do not survive. Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, stated that bringing thousands together at the NFL Draft reflects a shared commitment to build healthier, safer communities by equipping individuals with the confidence and skills to act. The effort is part of the Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, launched in 2023 following the on-field cardiac arrest of NFL player Damar Hamlin.
Hamlin, now the National Ambassador for Nation of Lifesavers, emphasized the personal significance of the event occurring in his hometown of Pittsburgh. He noted that CPR saves lives and hopes the record attempt encourages young people to stay active and reminds families to prioritize health and lifesaving skills. The collaboration extends beyond the draft; through the NFL Foundation, each team receives CPR grants to expand training and automated external defibrillator access in communities. Since 2023, grants have supported Hands-Only CPR training, credentialing, and the placement of CPR kits in schools and youth sports programs.
Doctor Mike, a longtime volunteer medical expert with the Association, conceived the world record attempt as a way to demonstrate how quickly lifesaving skills can be learned. He emphasized that learning Hands-Only CPR takes as little as 90 seconds and requires no formal training, making large-scale events powerful for improving survival rates. The American Heart Association and NFL also integrate CPR education into NFL PLAY 60 youth health efforts through programs like the Kids Heart Challenge™. Furthermore, as a founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition established by the NFL, the Association advocates for cardiac emergency response plans in public schools across all 50 states.
With nearly three out of four cardiac arrests occurring in homes, the ability to perform CPR is critically important for the general public. The technique involves calling 9-1-1 and performing chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute. Resources for learning CPR are available at https://www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR. Anna Isaacson, NFL SVP of Social Responsibility, stated the league is committed to building safer communities by giving people the knowledge to act in emergencies, highlighting the broader impact of this partnership on public health preparedness nationwide.
