By: Sara Loft 

Did you know that there are 1,000 people in a day who are affected by sudden cardiac arrests? Nearly 90% of those cases are fatal. During a Monday Night Football game on January 2nd this year, the football safety player (number 3) Damar Hamlin from the Buffalo Bills went into a sudden cardiac arrest. Damar Hamlin stood up after tackling the Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver player, Tee Higgins (number 85). After Damar stood up, he suddenly took 2 steps backward and then collapsed on site. The sudden moment shocked the entire nation as well as everyone present at the football game. Tee Higgins was not hurt. However, and thankfully, first responders and a trained medical staff are on standby during all sporting events including the NFL. Fortunately, the knowledge of CPR has saved Damar Hamlin’s life but he was listed in critical condition after they were able to revive him on the field.

On that same Monday night, paramedics extended

care for Damar Hamlin and sent him to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. These valorous heroes

are fully recognized for aiding all from any trauma and injury.

Did you know that being trained in CPR could help save a person’s life? It most definitely helped the 24-year-old football star, Damar Hamlin. CPR (or the long term: cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is a technique that could help someone who has suddenly stopped breathing and/or if their heart stops beating. Even so, animals have a method of CPR that could help save their lives also.

Did you know that you can be certified as first aid in CPR? Yes, you can make a difference to help another in distress! CPR is a technique open to all, not just for first responders and health care workers! Listed below are some websites where you can register to be more knowledgeable about CPR within your area and to possibly save someone’s life! After all the training exercises, you will receive a certificate of completion that is valid for 2 years. You can renew this certification, also.

1. American Heart Association: cpr.heart.org/en

2. American Red Cross: redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr

3. CPR - The Pulse Center: cprthepulsecenter.com/

4. WNY Healthcare Education: wnyhe.com

5. C4CPR: c4cpr.com/index.php/en/