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In an article from The Atlantic, the team that saved NFL player's life on the field last year reflect on the incident.
In the heart of Cincinnati, a team of heroes proved that in moments of crisis, training, teamwork, and humanity can make a difference. One such hero, John Bush Jr., a seasoned respiratory therapist, recalls the harrowing event that unfolded at Paycor Stadium on January 2.
Bush's journey from a sports enthusiast in his youth, engaging in boxing, basketball, and football, to a vital member of the stadium emergency action team, is a tale of unwavering commitment to his community.
His role took on a critical meaning when Damar Hamlin, the Bills' second-year safety, suffered a cardiac arrest on the field. He reflected on the intense focus required in such life-and-death situations.
"The crowd didn’t exist at that moment, it was me, God and that kid.”
His professional detachment was filled with personal empathy as he rushed onto the field:
"I looked at him as if he was my child. He’s 24 years old. I have a 22-year-old daughter and a 29-year-old son. My main goal was to get him home to his mom.”
Bush, alongside the University of Cincinnati Medical Center team and Dr. B. Woods Curry, engaged in a seamless execution of their skills under the gravest of circumstances.
Curry, an emergency medicine physician and consultant for the Bengals’ EAP, highlighted the unprecedented nature of Hamlin's case:
"There were elements about this particular case that were a little bit different than any particular case we ever practiced.”
The dedication of these professionals did not go unnoticed. In the anxious half-hour that followed Hamlin's collapse, every second was a testament to their readiness and precision.
The UC Medical Center, alerted by Dawn Schultz, an ER nurse, and her team, prepared for Hamlin's arrival, embodying the tenets of their training. This preparation is crucial with each emergency event like a relay race where precision and speed can save a life.
The tension was palpable as Bush accompanied Hamlin to the hospital,
"When that door opened and I saw a multitude of physicians, I felt a comfort, a satisfaction that we got him where he needed to be."
Beyond Hamlin's recovery, Dr. Curry pointed to a significant increase in AED purchases and backlog orders, emphasizing the broader impact:
"At every single field of play in the United States of America, there should be an AEP and someone there trained to do bystander CPR and apply the AED immediately."
As the world watched, it was Hamlin's Chasing M's Foundation that took proactive steps, launching a CPR Tour to educate thousands and provide AEDs to youth sports programs. And in the wake of this incident, the UC Medical Center has reached into the community to expand CPR education.
For Bush, it was a deeply personal victory, a connection sealed with a heartfelt gesture as Hamlin smiled "from ear to ear" and they both pounded their chests in solidarity.
As Hamlin and the Bills make their return, the narrative isn't just about a football game. It's about a celebration of life, community, and the heroes like John Bush Jr. and Dr. Curry, who stand ready to pass the baton of care and compassion when it matters most.
