Damar Hamlin's life was saved by an AED. Here are 5 things the NFL star has learned since his sudden cardiac arrest.

Nearly two years ago, NFL fans watched in horror as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest mid-game. But the now 26-year-old soccer star is back in action and better than ever, starting the season as a starter for the first time and achieving other firsts in his career. He knows all too well that none of this would be possible without the life-saving measures he received during his health crisis on January 2, 2023. This included CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restore his heart rhythm.

Hamlin tells Yahoo Life that he had virtually no idea about AEDs until one of the portable devices was used on him. “I think that’s a big reason why I’m passionate about getting people like me educated,” he says, “because you don’t know it until it affects you.”

As the face of the AED manufacturer Zoll Medicals “Anything Can Happen. With the “Everyone Can Help” campaign, Hamlin draws attention to the need for barrier-free AEDs and their ease of use. That's just one of the many lessons Hamlin has learned throughout his recovery. Here's what he says about prioritizing your health, taking risks, and staying focused on the field.

His medical event is not an isolated incident

Hamlin spent several days in critical condition in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after collapsing during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He says that in addition to learning what had happened to him after he gained consciousness a few days later, he was stunned to hear how common Sudden Cardiac Arrest is, in which the heart suddenly stops due to an irregular rhythm to beat.

“I learned that (SCA) is the leading cause of death in youth sports. I think that was kind of the craziest thing I heard,” Hamlin says. “Kids just play sports to have fun … (and) pursue dreams. You never expect a situation like this to happen.”

While sudden cardiac death is still relatively rare in young athletes – an estimated 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 80,000 suffers it – researchers advocate the use of AEDs near playing fields because they significantly improve survival rates.

Hamlin's medical emergency hasn't stopped him from playing professional football. If anything, it reassured him that safety measures were in place should anything go wrong.

“I was certainly aware that it was a violent sport. It’s a dangerous game,” Hamlin said. “But my coaches always tell me that the NFL field is one of the safest places because you are monitored by so many professionals at the same time.”

He previously credited Bills assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington with saving his life, who performed resuscitation measures in the moments before an AED was available. Kellington was part of the training staff who later received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at ESPYS 2023. Having him and other coaches around has helped Hamlin feel comfortable returning to the game. “This is something that continues to advance my thought process,” Hamlin says.

Mental health is also important

Hamlin says he relied heavily on mental toughness in his comeback. “The game is just mental,” he says. “You have to have a strong mental process to be able to handle everyday life.”

He added: “My body may not feel good but I have to be mentally strong enough to continue my process and stick with it because consistency is what will take you far in a season.”

As for his physical training, Hamlin says not much has changed since his cardiac arrest. “I’ve probably become a little more consistent. You know, I'm older now, a bit more of a vet (with a) more focused, firm approach,” he says. “I have goals. I’m just there trying to reach her.”

His story makes a difference

The American Heart Association reported a significant increase in interest in hand-only CPR in the days following Hamlin's cardiac arrest, which could lead to greater bystander intervention and higher survival rates for the 350,000 people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in the United States .

“I know what influence I can have on other people. “I’m very aware of it and I’m very proud of it,” says Hamlin. “That’s why I take responsibility for initiatives and campaigns like ‘Anything Can Happen’ with Zoll because I know how important it is.”

When it comes to football, Hamlin lives fearlessly. But that doesn't mean that some things don't scare him. “There are certain things I won’t do,” he says. “Someone told me yesterday that they wanted to go swimming with sharks and I would never do that. I would never put myself in danger around wild animals.”

However, he is open to skydiving. “I would, but when I get a little older,” he says. “Fear is not a real feeling. I mean, it's real, but I just have my own way of dealing with it. I want to keep control of all unforeseeable factors.”