The American Heart Association is taking its life-saving mission global, partnering with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin to expand cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education in Japan. Through the Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, the organization aims to train thousands of students and athletes in critical emergency response techniques.
During a multi-day tour from March 27-30, American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown and Hamlin will engage with students at the American School in Japan and the Teiko University, providing Hands-Only CPR training to approximately 1,750 students. The initiative will also include a training session at the Japan Flag Football Championships, reaching an additional 250 attendees.
The campaign holds significant potential impact, as current statistics reveal alarming cardiac arrest survival rates. In the United States, more than half of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims do not receive immediate CPR, with up to 9 out of 10 such incidents resulting in death. By teaching CPR, the American Heart Association seeks to dramatically improve these survival rates.
Hamlin, who experienced a cardiac arrest during a 2023 NFL game, is using his personal experience to underscore the importance of CPR knowledge. Through his Chasing M's Foundation, he will also donate automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to local schools in the Kawasaki area, further enhancing emergency preparedness.
The Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, launched in 2023, has an ambitious goal of doubling out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates in the United States by 2030. The Japan tour represents a significant step in expanding this mission internationally, demonstrating the universal importance of emergency medical education.
