The American Heart Association and the National Football League, along with Damar Hamlin's Chasing M's foundation and Doctor Mike, will attempt to set a Guinness World Records title for the most people to complete CPR training in one hour. The event is scheduled for Friday, April 24, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during day two of the NFL Draft. The goal is to train 4,000 individuals in Hands-Only CPR, a skill that can double or triple survival rates for cardiac arrest victims when performed immediately.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 90% of people who experience sudden cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not survive without immediate CPR. Yet, many bystanders hesitate to act due to lack of training or fear. This record attempt aims to empower fans, families, and communities with a simple, lifesaving skill they are most likely to use to help someone they know. Registration is free and open at heart.org/NFLDraft.
Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the importance of the initiative: "Every second matters when someone experiences cardiac arrest and knowing how to perform CPR can be the difference between life and death. By bringing thousands of people together at the NFL Draft, we’re teaming up with the league, Damar Hamlin and Doctor Mike to make history and equip individuals with the confidence and skills to act when it matters most."
Participants will also join the Nation of Lifesavers, a global movement launched by the American Heart Association in 2023 following the sudden cardiac arrest of NFL player Damar Hamlin during Monday Night Football. Hamlin, who serves as National Ambassador for the Nation of Lifesavers, stated: "As my experience with cardiac arrest has shown, CPR saves lives. Our world record attempt during the NFL Draft Experience in my hometown of Pittsburgh is a full-circle moment for me, and I’m proud to see the NFL, the American Heart Association, and our community come together to build a life-saving legacy."
Doctor Mike, whose real name is Mikhail Varshavski, is a longtime volunteer medical expert with the American Heart Association and a passionate advocate for Hands-Only CPR. He expressed his excitement: "It's always been a dream of mine to set a world record for CPR training. This one-hour record emphasizes how quick and simple it can be for laypeople to learn a life-saving skill, so they can be the help before someone like me arrives in an emergency."
The collaboration between the American Heart Association and the NFL extends beyond the draft. Through the NFL Foundation, each team receives CPR grants to expand training and automated external defibrillator (AED) access in local communities. Since 2023, grants have supported Hands-Only CPR training, Heartsaver CPR AED credentialing, and the placement of CPR in Schools Kits and CPR Youth Sports Kits. Anna Isaacson, NFL SVP of Social Responsibility, noted: "Through our partnership with the American Heart Association, the NFL is committed to building safer, stronger communities by giving people the knowledge and confidence to act in a medical emergency."
Hands-Only CPR involves calling 9-1-1 and performing chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute and a depth of approximately two inches. Learning this skill takes as little as 90 seconds and requires no formal training. For more information, visit heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR. The American Heart Association continues to advocate for cardiac emergency response plans in schools through the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, aiming to secure legislation in all 50 states.
