Media coverage of Hamlin incident
 

Just wondering why there’s so much coverage of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during the NFL game last Monday. There are close to 1,000 people going into cardiac arrest every day in the U.S., none of which are headline news. Their businesses don’t shut down, their employers don’t send everyone home, the world doesn’t stop. Why is this one so special? Just wondering…

You don’t follow major sports much, do you?!? :)

I find it quite difficult to respond to this. Other than stating, “huh???”

Unbelievable!

I feel very sorry for this young man, but honestly, I had no clue who he was until the news story hit.

Because a lot of people were there to see what they have probably never seen before; a young man, in his absolute prime, possibly dying right in front of them….

But it appears he was not in his absolute prime, as you put it. It has been reported that he had an irregular heart beat problem and that he was hit in the area of the chest which brought him down. A one in how many chance.

I think this information is invaluable to cardiologists and other heart exerts. We learn somelthing knew every day.

People have life threatening events on a daily basis, but this was on a National TV broadcast where over 21 million people witnessed it happen live.

I don't know about you, but I think most people have never witnessed someone on live TV collapsing due to cardiac arrest and requiring CPR/defibrillation just for the chance that the person might have a chance of being alive.

I was one of the many people watching live with a crowd of people at a local bar in TV and just seeing the dozens of players on the field crying and extremely distraught, likely to deal with PTSD in the future was something very hard to watch.

Probably because it happen to a very young person while he was playing professional sports. Think if this had happened during any professional sport involving young people this would get the same kind of re-action from the press.

The national press has covered these incidents when they involve high school and college age athletes as well.

The Bills didn’t give him a physical before the season started? It would have picked up a heart condition.

This is what I read from “experts”.

“The timing of the blow to Hamlin’s chest may have played a role, too. If the trauma occurred at a precise moment between heartbeats it may have caused a specific type of ventricular fibrillation known as commotio cordis – a disruption of the heart rhythm that occurs after a blow to the area of the chest that’s directly above the heart.”

I for one am proud that thousands of Americans and other people throughout the world have reached out and offered payers, support and genuine sympathy for this young man, his family, his fellow teammates and players. I find it unbelievable that anyone who witnessed the shock of that tragedy live or by replay could possibly ask people to justify their acts of awareness and kindness.
What is the inconvenience of delaying a form of entertainment for a few days compared to the the life of this young man?
Kindness should be appreciated, not criticized, even if someone is not "Special" to others.

He’s a sports figure, and it happened “live” in front of millions of people as he was entertaining them! No other reason……

Well, if you don’t follow pro football, or care about it, then I can see where you are coming from. I’m not into NFL football either, although my husband is. However, this incident had a lot of significance because a player collapsed and his heart just stopped on the field, and this never happens. So that’s why it’s so newsworthy. I’m so glad he survived and impressed with the care he received right away, to revive his heart. A takeaway: A great motivator to learn CPR — it could save a life one day!

I wish people would quit using “PTSD” as a crutch for every incident!
PTSD became a diagnosis from Research about Veterans returning from combat was a critical piece to the creation of the diagnosis. So, the history of what is now known as PTSD often references combat history.

Superb comment. Spot on!! Thanks very much

I believe that is why so many are interested. We were watching the game and saw it with our own eyes. I personally wanted to see Damar get up and walk off the field. And that didn’t happen. I will keep up with this young man for quite a while.

Here is the story ... he went in cardio arrest after the hit ...

Doctor: Bills' Damar Hamlin may have suffered 'rare' heart condition

I do not follow football but this seems like an unlikely occurrence and happening before millions of people. You just do not expect such a young and supposedly healthy man collapse this way. I would expect that there is not a more stringent medical physical given by anyone then by the NFL to a player.

Damar
 

This whole incident reinforces the importance of having an AED available.

It was shocking watching it live. But I see Lonzo’s point. How about a few prayers for the hundreds of innocent kids and their families in Chicago that are killed by gang gunfire? Now that is a true tragedy.

For the first time in a long time I’m proud of the NFL for doing exactly the correct thing quickly without any drama. They are to be vigorously defended the same way they are demonetized over other issues. I just hope that young man is okay with no permanent damage. Also thankfully he wasn’t hurt on a questionable play.

You are correct. This condition is the most likely cause of his collapse. It could happen to anyone, even someone with a perfectly fine heart. The blow seemed to have occurred when his heartbeat was in the ascending phase of the T-wave. It was a 5% chance of happening. A few milliseconds before or after, and he would have gotten up and returned to the huddle.

Great to learn about the electrical workings of a heart, but living near Buffalo (soon a Villager…), we are flooded with Hamlin news. Local newspaper had 5 full pages on it Tues & Wed. All over news on local TV channels. Good news - shootings are down! God bless Mr Hamlin.

Hamlin
 

1000 people didn’t have their cardiac arrest on national television. Perhaps a dozen people knew about each of those 1000 occurrences Any other questions? didntQUOTE=MrLonzo;2172908]Just wondering why there’s so much coverage of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during the NFL game last Monday. There are close to 1,000 people going into cardiac arrest every day in the U.S., none of which are headline news. Their businesses don’t shut down, their employers don’t send everyone home, the world doesn’t stop. Why is this one so special? Just wondering…[/QUOTE]

It’s not often you see someone die on live tv. Then brought back to life.

For starters, this young man didn’t just go into cardiac arrest because he had a bad heart. His heart was traumatized by an event that was caused by being struck in between beats causing an electrical disturbance to his normal sinus rhythm. It has happened in Little League ball games to very young children and people should be more aware. My grandson wore a chest protector when he played for that exact reason. But getting back to the Buffalo/Bengal game, imagine the trauma felt by all of the players and staff. Imagine the criticism they would have undergone had the game carried on as if such a horrific event hadn’t occurred. And you are wrong. I have personally known of companies that sent their employees home when a sudden injury occurred. It happened when my own husband was killed at his job. It is called empathy.

You are 100% correct! By the way, wasn't he forced to get vaccinated to be able to play. Just wondering!

What happened to Damar is not something that has never happened before. It has happened and to very healthy people including children playing baseball. It requires a blow right in between beats, at the precise unfortunate moment.

Of course they would have picked up a pre-existing heart problem and he was healthy. It is the precise timing of the blow he took that interrupted his normal rhythm. It can happen to anyone.

Exactly

Well Now you know! Praying for you Hamiln!! Go Bills!!!Prime of the sport

1. He's only 24 years old, not 64
2. It was witnessed by millions on tv
3. The serious injuries in football has been a public issue for several years
4. lots of familes have kids who are playing football

That enough?

Are you serious? For one thing, most people don't drop in front of millions on national tv. The world has not stopped, but stopping the game was the right thing to do. I guess you've never had a good friend drop dead right in front of you. It kind of ruins your day to say the least. Where is your heart and why so bitter? Why does this bother you enough to post a remark like that? Just wondering...

I never saw a report of a heart condition. The person who reported that is mistaken. Professional athletes are tested thoroughly before and during the season.

I feel so bad for him. He must have taken quite a hit to the chest. Hope he fully recovers. Prayers for him. It must have been very traumatic to everyone who saw it happen.

You’re kidding I hope. Watching a person go into cardiac arrest and almost die affects everyone who is present at that moment. The 1000 people you mention rarely have more that a few people there when it happens. Demar had millions watching him.

Agree
 

I agree. This was a rare event happening on live broadcast. Seeing the players reactions made it clear that Damar Hamlin was in a life threatening situation. This was stunning for all involved including more than 20 million viewers. There also seems to be a higher rate of young male athletes around the world collapsing due to cardiac arrest some dying the past couple of years. I pray that Damar is able to fight and recover.

Did anyone watch the Documentary DIED SUDDENLY ? it will explain it all lots of this sudden deaths are caused by the JAB people.........

Who are the JAB people? :shrug: