Hamlin incident leads to questions in athletic community

On Jan. 2, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was hit on the field during the Bengals/Bills game and collapsed. He suffered cardiac arrest and was administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the field until his heartbeat was restored, per CNN.

He was then rushed to the hospital via ambulance, where he recovered for two weeks before being discharged to his home on Jan. 14. Hamlin’s life-threatening injury and subsequent CPR have sparked new conversations around major athletic injuries and what to do in the event of cardiac arrest. In the CSB+SJU athletic community, trainers and resources are available to athletes in case of major injury. In addition, every trainer is required to be CPR certified.

“It’s the importance of having people around that are trained not just in injury management but in CPR,” head CSB Athletic Trainer Erin Ross said.

In addition to trainers, CSB sports medicine requires all coaches and assistants to have annual CPR training. Ross stressed the importance of knowing the basics of CPR, as it could be used in a variety of life-threatening situations, not just in sports injuries.

“You may be an innocent bystander at the mall or in the fitness center, at the gym… The more people we can get familiar with [CPR], the greater the chance of survival,” Ross said.

Effective compressions can mean the difference between life and death. According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival following a cardiac event. Going hand-in-hand with CPR, the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) is currently the only way to restore a regular heart rhythm, per the American Red Cross. Because an AED is the sole way to shock a heart back into regular electrical rhythm, Ross stresses how important it is to know where the nearest AED is and how to use it.

“Folks are getting more comfortable putting the AED pads on, knowing where the pads go and recognizing the signs for needing help,” Ross said.

CSB and SJU athletic training also have emergency action plans (EAP) for every location where athletic teams practice.

“[This plan] includes the address or area of the location to tell the 911 dispatchers, who’s in charge and who to call,” Ross said.

The other part surrounding resuscitation, which is not a gentle process, is the trauma that comes with the injury, both for the player and the bystanders watching. In the case of Hamlin, thousands watched as he was resuscitated, including his family and close teammates.

“I think we have to address the fears, concerns and anxiety that surround a traumatic incident like that, with anyone who was around,” Ross said.

Ross mentioned that giving a person time and space to process emotions, acknowledging what someone has been through and seeking support are all important pieces of that traumatic event response. For more information about CPR/AED use, Basic Life Support, or certification classes, visit American Heart Association at cpr.heart.org or the American Red Cross at redcross.org.