In every cardiac emergency, the real first responder is not always a uniformed professional but often an everyday bystander. Cardiac arrest can strike anywhere—the gym, the grocery store, during a child’s soccer game. … You do not need medical credentials to save a life. What’s required is knowledge, courage, and readiness to act.
By Butch Maier
When Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during an NFL game, he was surrounded by medical professionals.
The scary scene in January 2023 played out under stadium spotlights in Cincinnati, where Hamlin’s heart stopped after he made a tackle.
Hamlin had the benefit of playing in proximity to medical personnel on the sidelines who knew how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and had automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on hand. He was in a controlled environment.
Most sudden cardiac arrest incidents happen amid chaos.
No doctor in the house. No ambulance around. No hospital nearby.
Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
According to the AHA, only 10 percent survive.
“You never know when it’s going to be your opportunity to step in and save a life,” Hamlin told the American Heart Association. “CPR and AEDs are why I’m still here today.
“Giving someone the skills and power to save a life is a superpower, if you ask me.”
Hamlin, who was hospitalized in critical condition and eventually recovered to play professional football again, serves as the national ambassador for the AHA’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative.
“The American Heart Association launched the movement to double the survival rate of cardiac arrests by the year 2030,” said Jaylyn Brown, marketing communications director for the American Heart Association in Hampton Roads. “A lot of that is because seven in 10 people in America say they feel powerless to act in the face of a cardiac emergency.
“And, as a result of that, less than half of all people who need this life-saving skill receive CPR from bystanders before professional help arrives.”
The theme of American Heart Month in February is “You Are the First Responder Until Help Arrives.”
“It’s a pretty transformative idea,” Brown said. “In every cardiac emergency, the real first responder is not always a uniformed professional but often an everyday bystander. Cardiac arrest can strike anywhere—the gym, the grocery store, during a child’s soccer game.”
Bystanders intervene less than half the time.
“You do not need medical credentials to save a life,” Brown said. “What’s required is knowledge, courage, and readiness to act.”
There is no age requirement—young or old—for learning CPR.
Vada Carawan, 11 and of Virginia Beach, earned her Girl Scout badge for CPR just 11 days before her dad’s heart stopped in 2024. She called 911 and delivered chest compressions until paramedics arrived.
“I knew that everybody needed my dad, especially me,” said Carawan, according to an American Heart Association News report. “So, I needed to save him.”
Thanks in part to her knowledge and quick thinking, Clint Carawan lived.
She had him saved as “My Hero” on her phone.
She saved him and became his hero.
The American Heart Association is looking for more people to follow the example of this brave child.
“We are challenging everyone to join the Nation of Lifesavers and commit to make CPR, and AED awareness, and education a permanent fixture in all communities across the country,” Brown said.
The American Heart Association Hampton Roads collaborates with businesses and other institutions to meet people where they are, with AHA personnel performing hands-only CPR demonstrations. Brown mentioned previous trainings at Hampton University, Norfolk State University, and the College of William & Mary.
“We’ve definitely prioritized working with their student-athletes,” Brown said, “because, being so young and knowing this could happen to anyone, at any time, it’s really important for them to understand and feel confident and capable as well.”
During a cardiac emergency, a well-developed plan is essential for the best outcome. The American Heart Association Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) is a written document that establishes the specific steps to reduce death from cardiac arrest in any setting—be it a school, community organization, workplace, or sports facility.
Individuals also can watch videos online at heart.org/cpr to learn CPR techniques.
In Hampton Roads, Brown said, “We want at least one person in every household to feel confident and capable to be able to perform hands-only CPR because it truly does save lives.”
According to Brown, success in 2030 will mean more people surviving cardiac arrest and living healthier lives—especially in communities that have faced barriers to care.
“Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, people did not want to do mouth-to-mouth,” Brown said.
That is no longer necessary.
“Hands-only CPR is just as effective,” Brown said. “Knowing that you only need to use chest compressions is really important.”
Other obstacles to overcome include legal ramifications.
“Sometimes people are afraid that they are going to hurt the individual [by performing CPR], but there are Good Samaritan laws that protect you in the event that someone does end up with broken ribs,” Brown said.
Raising awareness also can save lives.
Those who have provided CPR for someone, are survivors of cardiac arrest, or have lost a loved one via cardiac arrest can share a one-minute video to inspire others to learn CPR and be prepared to save a life.
The AHA has created a form and instructions for individuals to upload and share their CPR story video: https://heart.jotform.com/251565795787074
Brown hopes the numbers of people learning CPR and using it when necessary increase all over Hampton Roads.
“Success means these improvements happen for everyone—regardless of race, gender, income, or where they live,” she said. “The American Heart Association is focused on making sure survival rates and access to education as well as care are equal for all communities.”
For more information about the AHA initiative, go to heart.org/en/nation-of-lifesavers.
Butch Maier
