The American Heart Association, National Football League (NFL), Damar Hamlin’s Chasing M’s foundation, and social media medical expert Doctor Mike will attempt to set a Guinness World Records title for Most people to complete CPR training in one hour. The event, scheduled for Friday, April 24, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh during the NFL Draft, aims to train 4,000 participants in Hands-Only CPR. Registration is free and available at heart.org/NFLDraft.
This initiative directly confronts a critical public health issue: more than half of individuals who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not receive immediate CPR, despite the fact that such intervention can double or triple survival chances. Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, emphasized the urgency, stating that knowing how to perform CPR can be the difference between life and death. The record attempt is designed to equip individuals with a simple, lifesaving skill they are most likely to use to help someone they know, as nearly three out of four out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in homes.
The effort is part of the broader Nation of Lifesavers movement, launched by the American Heart Association in 2023 following the on-field cardiac arrest of NFL player Damar Hamlin. Hamlin, who serves as the National Ambassador for the movement, highlighted the personal significance of the Pittsburgh event, noting it represents a full-circle moment in his hometown. He stressed that the initiative is about building a life-saving legacy and encouraging communities to prioritize health, wellness, and preparedness.
The collaboration leverages the massive platform of the NFL Draft to achieve scale. Learning Hands-Only CPR requires no formal training and takes as little as 90 seconds, making large-scale training events a practical strategy for improving national survival rates. Doctor Mike, a longtime volunteer with the Association, noted that the one-hour record attempt underscores how quickly laypeople can learn to be the help before professional medical assistance arrives.
The partnership between the American Heart Association and the NFL extends beyond this single event. Through the NFL Foundation, grants are provided to all teams to expand CPR training and automated external defibrillator (AED) access in local communities. These grants have supported Hands-Only CPR training, credentialing, and the placement of CPR kits in schools and youth sports programs since 2023. The Association has worked with more than half of NFL teams to educate players, staff, and communities.
Hands-Only CPR education is also integrated into NFL PLAY 60 youth health efforts, delivered through the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge. Furthermore, as a founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition established by the NFL, the American Heart Association is leading advocacy in state capitols to implement cardiac emergency response plans in public schools and ensure high school athletic programs are prepared for cardiac emergencies.
Anna Isaacson, NFL SVP of Social Responsibility, stated the league's commitment to building safer, stronger communities by providing people the knowledge and confidence to act in a medical emergency. The world record attempt symbolizes a concentrated push to transform public awareness into actionable skill, with the potential to create thousands of new bystanders equipped to perform chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute—a simple act that can sustain life until emergency services arrive.
