What happened: Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, collapsed on the field Monday evening after tackling an opposing player during a nationally televised football game. Shocked announcers attempted to explain the unfolding medical emergency as millions watched on TV and social media.
Hamlin, 24, had briefly stood up after the tackle before falling to the turf. Athletic trainers and team medical personnel rushed onto the field to assess and treat the player. An ambulance and paramedics were summoned to assist in Hamlin’s treatment. As a subdued crowd watched from the stands, commentators explained to television viewers that Hamlin was receiving CPR, an AED had been used, and that Hamlin was initially lifted from the ground and then lowered back onto the ground.
After about 25 minutes of on-scene care, Hamlin was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
A statement from the Buffalo Bills reported that Hamlin was sedated, in critical condition and receiving further treatment. At the time of this writing, no additional information is available about Hamlin’s condition or the specific treatment he received from paramedics on the field, in the ambulance or at the hospital.
Hamlin, his family, friends and teammates are in our thoughts as we seek to understand what happened to him. We are also grateful to his teammates who summoned medical personnel as well as the medical staff and EMS professionals who cared for him and the team continuing his care.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest reminders
Hamlin’s collapse and pulselessness is a tragic reminder that cardiac arrest isn’t just a condition experienced by older people or people with underlying medical conditions. Hamlin’s collapse, like the on-pitch collapse of professional soccer player Christian Erikson in 2021, is an opportunity to learn and educate.
Here are five key points about out-of-hospital cardiac arrest to consider as we receive and process news about Hamlin in the hours and days to come.
1. Recognize that basic life support works
BLS is the best immediate treatment for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In Hamlin’s emergency, other football players and game officials acted immediately to call for help. Team medical personnel initiated BLS care with chest compressions and AED use, while also taking the next step to summon in-stadium ALS, activating the local 911 system.
2. Treat what you find
As we might expect, social media users immediately began to speculate on the cause of Hamlin’s arrest. Though the underlying cause might be important to his outcome, determining the underlying cause should not interrupt or interfere with the provision of BLS. Response to treatment and other diagnostic information guides paramedics in the initiation of advanced cardiac life support treatments.
3. Educate the community
Tens of millions of people have watched and read news reports about Hamlin’s collapse and treatment with CPR. This is a moment for EMS organizations, without being macabre or disrespectful, to educate their community about cardiac arrest and CPR. Key messages include:
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Anyone can learn CPR and here’s how to learn;
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911 call-takers will guide you through the process;
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AEDs should be present at every sporting and community event; and
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AEDs can be used by anyone.
https://twitter.com/American_Heart/status/1610122731521179648
4. Refresh cardiac arrest co-response with team personnel
If you haven’t recently completed a joint training session with team personnel at the events where your EMS organization provides standby services, schedule it today. Do a quick refresher with your EMS personnel of procedures to access the chest and airway of a football, hockey or lacrosse player who is wearing shoulder pads and a helmet. Also review the ingress and egress routes to reach basketball courts, ice rinks and athletic fields in your service area.
https://twitter.com/PSnobelen/status/1610164717095653378
5. Consider after-care resources for lay rescuers, bystanders
Jarring images of football players crying and beset with worry make it clear that cardiac arrest and CPR are traumatic for family, friends, teammates and other bystanders who witness the incident. They might be experiencing a range of emotions from helplessness to guilt.
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Does your EMS agency conduct follow-up visits with bystanders and lay rescuers?
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Do you share leave-behind resources on cardiac arrest calls, like an after-care brochure that explains some of the care provided and resources available for survivors?
There is increasing awareness among EMS professionals that cardiac arrest care continues after ROSC, not only for the patient, but also the witnesses and lay rescuers. Partner with other healthcare organizations, social service organizations and religious leaders in your community to connect witnesses and lay rescuers with counseling and survivor support resources.
Additional resources for cardiac arrest care
Here are a few more EMS1 articles about cardiac arrest care.
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Improve cardiac arrest survival: 10 tips every medic needs to follow
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AEDs: 5 ways to pay for and place lifesaving devices in public places
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Baltimore dad credits company CPR training after saving friend
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Ohio firefighter aids collapsed referee during basketball game
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Study: Patient outcomes improve when police officers or FFs start CPR
