Some Pitt faculty, staff and students are encouraging others in the University community to join them on April 24, as part of an NFL Draft event to try and set a world record for the most people trained in Hands‑Only CPR in one hour.
The Guinness World Record attempt will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. April 24 at Acrisure Stadium. Participants should arrive by noon. The goal is to train 4,000 people at the NFL Draft.
Hands-Only CPR means calling 911 if you see someone suddenly collapse; and then pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest. According to the American Heart Association, research shows that Hands-Only CPR is just as effective as full CPR when delivered in the first few minutes.
The event is sponsored by the American Heart Association and the National Football League, along with Damar Hamlin’s Chasing M’s foundation and social media figure Doctor Mike. Hamlin, who played football for the Pitt Panthers and the Buffalo Bills, suffered a cardiac arrest during a televised game in January 2023.
Several faculty and students from Pitt’s School of Public Health have signed up to be instructors at the event. Registration is free and open for participants who want to learn this technique at heart.org/NFLDraft.
Participants also will join the Nation of Lifesavers, a global movement launched by the American Heart Association in 2023 following Hamlin’s sudden cardiac arrest during Monday Night Football. Hamlin has used his experience to show the lifesaving difference bystander CPR can make through his collaboration with the Heart Association to offer CPR trainings across the country.
“As my experience with cardiac arrest has shown, CPR saves lives,” Hamlin said in a news release. “Our world record attempt during the NFL Draft Experience in my hometown of Pittsburgh is a full-circle moment for me, and I’m proud to see the NFL, the American Heart Association, and our community come together to build a life-saving legacy.”
Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing as they will be practicing skills that require working on their hands and knees, bending, standing and lifting.
— Susan Jones
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