Comments Document
Dear Elementary and Secondary Subcommittee Members,
More than 356,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital annually in the U.S. and nearly 90% of them are fatal. The American Heart Association is working to increase the number of people ready to perform CPR in an emergency. Currently, only about 40% of these people get the immediate help they need before emergency responders arrive.
Additionally, it is estimated that there are more than 23,000 children under the age of 18 who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year in the United States. Almost 40% of these events are sports related.
To protect our young people and ensure that schools are equipped to offer aid in the event of a cardiac arrest, the American Heart Association recommends every school implement a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) that establishes specific steps to reduce death from cardiac arrest in school settings. To enhance the safety of students, staff, and visitors, organizations like the National Football League (NFL), Virginia Athletic Trainers Association, Virginia School Nurses Association, Virginia Education Association, the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, Project Adam, and others are joining the American Heart Association in supporting legislation to ensure all public schools in Virginia develop and implement a CERP.
A Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) can increase survival rates from cardiac arrest by 50% or more by enabling a trained lay-responder team to act. In schools with AEDs, approximately 70% of children survive cardiac arrest, which is seven times higher than the overall cardiac arrest survival rate for children.
Schools should implement plans that prioritize efficient emergency response time, which in includes recognizing a medical emergency, calling 911, performing CPR, routine CERP drills, public displays of the CERP, proper maintenance and placements of AED and emergency equipment, and annual review of CERP policies.
HB1695 patroned by Delegate Alex Askew will enhance the health and safety in our schools and create a Nation of Lifesavers. Please support this legislation and join your colleagues by voting in favor of these bills.
Comments Document
Dear Elementary and Secondary Subcommittee Members, More than 356,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital annually in the U.S. and nearly 90% of them are fatal. The American Heart Association is working to increase the number of people ready to perform CPR in an emergency. Currently, only about 40% of these people get the immediate help they need before emergency responders arrive. Additionally, it is estimated that there are more than 23,000 children under the age of 18 who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year in the United States. Almost 40% of these events are sports related. To protect our young people and ensure that schools are equipped to offer aid in the event of a cardiac arrest, the American Heart Association recommends every school implement a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) that establishes specific steps to reduce death from cardiac arrest in school settings. To enhance the safety of students, staff, and visitors, organizations like the National Football League (NFL), Virginia Athletic Trainers Association, Virginia School Nurses Association, Virginia Education Association, the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, Project Adam, and others are joining the American Heart Association in supporting legislation to ensure all public schools in Virginia develop and implement a CERP. A Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) can increase survival rates from cardiac arrest by 50% or more by enabling a trained lay-responder team to act. In schools with AEDs, approximately 70% of children survive cardiac arrest, which is seven times higher than the overall cardiac arrest survival rate for children. Schools should implement plans that prioritize efficient emergency response time, which in includes recognizing a medical emergency, calling 911, performing CPR, routine CERP drills, public displays of the CERP, proper maintenance and placements of AED and emergency equipment, and annual review of CERP policies. HB1695 patroned by Delegate Alex Askew will enhance the health and safety in our schools and create a Nation of Lifesavers. Please support this legislation and join your colleagues by voting in favor of these bills.