American Heart Association and NFL to Attempt Guinness World Record for CPR Training at NFL Draft

The American Heart Association and National Football League, in collaboration with Damar Hamlin's Chasing M's foundation and social media physician Doctor Mike, will attempt to set the Guinness World Records title for Most people to complete CPR training in one hour by training 4,000 participants in Hands-Only CPR during the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. This initiative addresses the alarming statistic that more than half of people who experience cardiac arrest outside hospitals do not receive immediate CPR, despite evidence showing that bystander CPR can double or triple survival chances.

The record attempt will occur on April 24, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium during the second day of the NFL Draft, with free registration available at heart.org/NFLDraft. American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown emphasized that "every second matters when someone experiences cardiac arrest and knowing how to perform CPR can be the difference between life and death," highlighting the event's goal of equipping individuals with confidence and skills to act in emergencies.

This effort builds upon the Nation of Lifesavers movement launched by the American Heart Association following Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest during a 2023 Monday Night Football game. Hamlin, who serves as National Ambassador for Nation of Lifesavers, noted that "CPR saves lives" and described the Pittsburgh event as "a full-circle moment" that brings communities together around lifesaving skills. Participants will join this global movement that has expanded CPR awareness and training access nationwide through partnerships with NFL teams.

The collaboration leverages the urgency created by statistics showing more than 90% of people who experience sudden cardiac arrest without immediate CPR do not survive. Hands-Only CPR requires no formal training and can be learned in as little as 90 seconds, making large-scale training events particularly valuable for improving community response capabilities. Doctor Mike, whose inspiration sparked the record attempt concept, emphasized that "this one-hour record emphasizes how quick and simple it can be for laypeople to learn a life-saving skill, so they can be the help before someone like me arrives in an emergency."

Beyond the draft event, the American Heart Association and NFL maintain year-round collaboration through NFL Foundation grants that support CPR training and automated external defibrillator access in local communities. These grants have funded Hands-Only CPR training, credentialing programs, and placement of CPR kits in schools and youth sports programs since 2023. The partnership also extends to NFL PLAY 60 youth health initiatives, where students learn to recognize cardiac arrest, call emergency services, and perform chest compressions through programs like the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge.

The organizations are also advancing policy initiatives as founding members of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which advocates for evidence-based policies to prevent fatal cardiac outcomes among high school students. The American Heart Association is leading legislative efforts in all 50 states to implement cardiac emergency response plans in public schools and ensure athletic programs are prepared for cardiac emergencies. With nearly three out of four cardiac arrests occurring in homes, the ability to perform immediate chest compressions at 100-120 beats per minute becomes critically important for bystanders who may need to assist family members or loved ones.