The American Heart Association applauded Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley Tuesday for signing the CPR in Schools bill on behalf of Governor Rick Snyder. The law makes Michigan the 36th state to ensure students learn the life-saving skill of CPR before high school graduation. The bill was ceremoniously signed Tuesday.
"We applaud Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley and our lawmakers for making Michigan the 36th state to ensure students learn the life-saving skill of CPR before high school graduation," said Sarah Poole, government relations director for the AHA. "This law will add 100,000 CPR-trained potential lifesavers to Michigan communities every year. We're thankful for the support of cardiac arrest survivors, families impacted by cardiac arrest, healthcare professionals, emergency responders, and of course, our bill sponsors and heart champions, Senator Tonya Schuitmaker and Representative Thomas Hooker."
The CPR in Schools bill, SB 647, passed the Senate unanimously on May 31 of last year and passed the House 98-8 on Dec. 14. Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia have already passed similar laws.
"I am pleased that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle came together to support this common-sense bill that will nearly triple cardiac arrest survival rates in Michigan by equipping bystanders to provide assistance until emergency responders arrive," said Sen. Schuitmaker (R-Lawton). "I'm proud that Michigan is now the 36th state to pass CPR in Schools legislation to prepare today's students to be tomorrow's lifesavers."
Four out of five cardiac arrests occur at home, so the people that students are most likely to save could be members of their own family. States and communities with high school CPR training have seen dramatic increases in survival rates for cardiac arrest victims.
"As a former teacher, coach, CPR trainer and father, I understand the importance of knowing CPR," said Rep. Hooker (R-Byron Center), the sponsor of the House version of the bill. "I saved my son's life using CPR when he was a child, and I'm proud to support this bill to ensure every student is equipped to save the life of a family member, friend, stranger or even their own child someday."
Nearly 357,000 people suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year, and only 8 percent survive. Bystander CPR greatly increases a person's chances of surviving cardiac arrest when performed in the critical minutes before first responders arrive.
Under Michigan's new law, schools will incorporate at least one Hands-Only CPR training at least once during 7-12th grade, beginning with the 2017-18 school year. Districts have the flexibility to decide how and when to cover CPR in their health education courses. Hands-Only CPR can take as little as 30 minutes to learn, and can easily be incorporated into existing health classes.
Schools are encouraged to partner with local firefighters, EMT personnel and emergency responders, who are enthusiastic to share their knowledge and train students to be lifesavers. Teachers do not need to be certified CPR trainers to teach their students. Students can also learn CPR by watching a video and practicing on a mannequin, which replicates the sense of pressure and rhythm needed to effectively perform the procedure.
The legislation is supported by the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, Michigan Association of Ambulance Services, Michigan College of Emergency Physicians, Michigan Emergency Nurses Association, Michigan Fraternal Order of Police, Michigan State Medical Society, SaveMIHeart and more. Visit heart.org/CPRmi to learn more.
Published: Thu, Jan 05, 2017
