Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2nd. After a seemingly routine tackle, the 24-year-old Hamlin stood up, took two steps and suddenly fell backward as he lost consciousness. Medical personnel immediately rushed to his side, started CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restore a normal heart rhythm. These interventions saved his life and he was discharged from a Cincinnati hospital one week later. Continue reading to learn more about how an AED could save your life or the life of a loved one. 

Cardiac Arrest in Athletes

Most cases of sudden cardiac arrest occur when the person’s heart beats in a rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib). The heart quivers very fast instead of contracting and relaxing to pump blood through the body. The person will not have a pulse and death will occur within a few minutes if the heart does not resume a normal rhythm.While V-Fib is most commonly due to cardiovascular disease, it can also be caused by a blunt force impact to the chest. This condition is called commotio cordis, and it is seen mostly in athletes who are struck by projectiles like baseballs or hockey pucks. Young people are at higher risk because the chest wall is less developed and transmits force more easily. A person who suffers commotio cordis will collapse and be unresponsive following the blow to the chest. A pulse will not be felt and immediate defibrillation with an AED is required to restart the person’s heart (1-5). 

Use of AEDs 

An AED is a compact, computerized defibrillator that automatically analyzes the heart rhythm for people who are experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. If the AED determines that the patient is in V-Fib, it delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm. Even though CPR courses teach people how to perform defibrillation with an AED, no medical training or certification is required. This is because modern AEDs guide rescuers through each step of resuscitation and they will only deliver a shock if the person’s heart is in V-Fib.With an AED, you or anyone nearby can act quickly to defibrillate someone who has suffered sudden cardiac arrest while waiting for EMS to arrive. For this reason, AEDs should be located in all public access areas including:

• Schools, Colleges and Universities
• Fitness Facilities and Swimming Pools
• Stores and Shopping Malls
• Airports, Offices and Hotels
• Public Transportation

Choosing an AED

Selecting the right AED can be challenging, since there are many features and price points to choose from. Here are some top options to get you started: 

• Philips HeartStart OnSite Responder Bundle - The Philips HeartStart OnSite is the most popular AED on the market today. It is ideally designed for public access areas because it provides step-by-step voice instructions that guide rescuers through every step of defibrillation. It comes with adult and pediatric pads, a spare battery and a rugged waterproof case. 
• Philips HeartStart FRx Responder Bundle - The Philips HeartStart FRx functions just like the OnSite but it features an extra rugged design for outdoor use. It can withstand jetting water, loads up to 500 pounds and a one-meter drop onto concrete. The FRx bundle also comes with adult and pediatric pads, spare battery and rugged waterproof case.
• The Defibtech Lifeline VIEW - The first and only AED with an interactive display and integrated full color video to demonstrate chest compressions and defibrillation. It is ideally designed for noisy, high-vibration environments like jet aircrafts, helicopters and boats.  

Key Takeaway

There is no doubt that Damar Hamlin is alive and well today because the medical staff immediately started CPR and used an AED to restart his heart. Sudden cardiac arrest is not limited to the football field, however. It can happen without warning anywhere, anytime and to anyone. Immediate defibrillation with an AED can make the difference between life and death for you or a loved one. DiaMedical is proud to offer a wide variety of AEDs for all types of organizations and settings. For more information on purchasing AEDs, reach out to a DiaMedical expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com 

References

1. University of Connecticut Korey Stringer Institute. Commotio cordis. Retrieved from https://ksi.uconn.edu/emergency-conditions/cardiac-conditions/commotio-cordis/ 
2. Yabek, S. (2023). Commotio cordis. Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/902504-overview 
3. Tainter, C. & Hughes, P. (2022). Commotio cordis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526014/
4. Palacio, L., & Link, M. (2009). Commotio cordis. Sports Health, 1(2), 174-179. 
5. American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. (2023). Commotio cordis. Retrieved from https://www.sportsmedtoday.com/commotio-cordis-va-88.htm