When CPR makes the news, it’s usually because someone — often someone famous — has just experienced a major medical emergency.
While those stories can be frightening, they often come with a hopeful message: quick action and CPR training save lives.
Two incidents, both involving young athletes, are powerful reminders of why knowing CPR is one of the most important life skills anyone can have.
In January 2023, the football world watched in shock as Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin collapsed mid-game after making a tackle against Cincinnati.
Hamlin, just 25 years old and in peak physical condition, initially stood up — then suddenly fell backward and became unresponsive.
Within seconds, the Bills’ medical team sprang into action. Trained professionals performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restart his heart. Hamlin was transported by ambulance within four minutes.
Doctors later revealed that Hamlin’s heart had stopped — but thanks to immediate CPR and defibrillation, his life was saved.
The cause was commotio cordis, a rare and life-threatening disruption of the heart’s rhythm triggered by a blow to the chest at a precise, vulnerable moment. It’s almost always fatal unless treated within minutes.
Miraculously, after weeks of recovery, Damar Hamlin returned to play in August 2023 — a true testament to the power of CPR and rapid emergency response.
Just months later, another shocking event made headlines. Bronny James, the 18-year-old son of NBA superstar LeBron James, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during basketball practice.
Thanks to the quick actions of medical staff on-site, Bronny received immediate CPR and emergency treatment. Within days, he was discharged from hospital and later diagnosed with a congenital heart defect that doctors plan to treat successfully.
His story, like Hamlin’s, reminds us that sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone — regardless of age or fitness level — and that CPR can mean the difference between life and death.
It’s not only athletes whose lives have been touched by CPR. Some celebrities have made headlines by performing it themselves.
Actors Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Lawrence, and Dustin Hoffman have each used their CPR training to save someone’s life.
Their quick actions show that you don’t need to be a doctor or first responder — just trained, confident, and willing to act.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively, cutting off blood flow to the brain and vital organs.
It’s different from a heart attack, which is caused by a blockage in blood flow to the heart muscle. A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, but the two are not the same.
Think of cardiac arrest like a home’s main breaker suddenly flipping off — the body’s electrical system shuts down. Without that flow of electricity, everything stops.
Without immediate help, death can occur within minutes. But with fast CPR and AED use, that “circuit breaker” can often be reset — allowing the heart to restart and the body to recover.
When someone’s heart stops, CPR acts as a manual pump, moving oxygen-rich blood through the body to keep the brain and organs alive until professional medical help arrives.
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): Uses chest compressions — and sometimes rescue breaths — to maintain circulation.
AED (Automated External Defibrillator): An easy-to-use device that delivers an electric shock to help the heart re-establish its rhythm.
Brain damage can begin within 4–6 minutes without oxygen. That’s why trained bystanders and quick responders are critical.
Modern CPR training focuses on quality chest compressions, which are often more effective than mouth-to-mouth alone. The ideal ratio is 30 compressions to 2 breaths, repeated until help arrives or the person regains consciousness.
Many public spaces — gyms, arenas, schools, malls — now have AEDs available for emergency use. These devices guide users step by step through the process, meaning even non-medical bystanders can save lives.
Both Damar Hamlin and Bronny James are alive today because trained people were in the right place at the right time.
Every minute without CPR reduces a person’s chance of survival by up to 10%. The more people who are trained, the higher the odds of survival for everyone — at work, in public, or at home.
You never know when someone near you — a friend, co-worker, or stranger — might need your help.
Durham First Aid offers Red Cross–certified CPR and First Aid courses across the Durham Region. Our certified instructors teach you how to recognize cardiac arrest, perform CPR correctly, and use an AED with confidence.
When you or someone you love faces an emergency, your training can make the difference.
Register for a First Aid and CPR/AED course today.
Contact us at info@durhamfirstaid.com or call (905) 240-0092.
