Nine NBA and NBA G League players have been selected as ambassadors to promote cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education, highlighting the critical importance of quick response during cardiac emergencies. The initiative comes as data reveals that more than half of sudden cardiac arrest victims do not receive immediate CPR, contributing to a staggering survival rate where 9 out of 10 patients do not survive.
The American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers movement, launched in 2023 following NFL player Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest, aims to double survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by 2030. Recent survey data shows promising progress, with the percentage of adults confident in performing CPR increasing from 30% to 35% between 2021 and 2023.
With nearly 75% of cardiac arrests occurring in homes, the ambassadors will support the campaign through public service announcements and social media content. The NBA players, including Collin Sexton, Larry Nance Jr., and Jeremy Sochan, will help emphasize that learning Hands-Only CPR takes just 90 seconds and can potentially save a life.
The campaign also addresses a significant public health concern, particularly among young athletes. The American Heart Association reports that approximately 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrests outside hospitals annually, with 40% occurring among student-athletes. By raising awareness and teaching simple CPR techniques, the initiative seeks to empower communities to respond effectively during medical emergencies.
