In a packed stadium, thousands of fans watched in horror as 24-year-old football player Demer Hamlin collapsed onto the field to meet his sudden death. His heart had stopped beating due to a heart attack. But what they also saw was the power of CPR and AEDs.
Jeff Hawty, a firefighter and HeartStart CPR instructor, knows how important those moments can be. “Sometimes the difference between life and death comes down to mere seconds, so the question is: Do you know what to do?” he asked.
Unfortunately, many bystanders are afraid to step in and help, unsure of what to do. Former firefighter Chip Baker has seen it himself. “All I see is a hesitation, because I don’t want to get it wrong. I’m not sure I know what I’m doing,” he said.
But Hawty and Baker both stress the importance of taking action — a life-saving step. Even if you’re not trained, you can still help. Call for medical help and begin chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute. The AED will give you verbal instructions on how to use it, but it doesn’t hurt to practice beforehand.
For Damar Hamlin, those few moments of CPR and AED made all the difference. His heart started beating again and soon after he was rushed to the hospital to make a full recovery.
And, he’s not the only one. Each year, more than 350,000 people in the United States have an out-of-hospital heart attack. But with CPR and an AED, many of them can be saved.
That’s why Damar recently went to Washington to advocate for the “Access to AEDs Act,” which provides funding for CPR training and AEDs in schools across the country. He himself knows the importance of keeping these resources available.
It’s easy to feel helpless after a sudden heart attack, but we can all make a difference. With the right training and equipment, we can make the difference between life and death.
So don’t hesitate. Learn CPR and AED, and be ready to help when it matters most.