American Heart Association Expands Lifesaving CPR Training to Japan with NFL Star Damar Hamlin

The American Heart Association (AHA) is making strides in global health education by extending its Nation of Lifesavers™ campaign to Japan, with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin playing a pivotal role. This initiative, scheduled from March 27-30, focuses on teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to students, aiming to enhance the ability to respond to cardiac emergencies effectively.

During the campaign, AHA CEO Nancy Brown and Hamlin will conduct Hands-Only CPR training sessions for about 1,500 students at the American School in Japan, alongside training 250 participants at the Japan Flag Football Championships and over 80 students at Teiko University. Hamlin's involvement is particularly poignant, given his personal experience with cardiac arrest during a 2023 football game. Through his Chasing M's Foundation, he is also contributing AEDs to schools in the Kawasaki City area, underscoring the campaign's goal of bolstering cardiac emergency preparedness.

The Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, initiated in 2023, has set a bold target to double the survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the U.S. by 2030. The urgency of this mission is highlighted by current statistics showing that more than half of sudden cardiac arrest victims do not receive immediate CPR, leading to a survival rate where only 1 in 10 victims survive. Immediate CPR can dramatically increase survival chances, doubling or even tripling the likelihood of survival when administered promptly.

By expanding its educational efforts to Japan, the AHA is not only showcasing its dedication to reducing fatalities from cardiac emergencies worldwide but also empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to save lives. The simplicity and effectiveness of CPR, which can be learned in just 90 seconds, make it a critical tool in the fight against cardiac arrest, emphasizing the campaign's potential to make a significant impact on global health outcomes.