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Legislation aimed at saving the lives of students who experience cardiac arrest at school and during athletic activities has passed the Pennsylvania House with a bipartisan vote of 157-45.
House Bill 1685, sponsored by State Rep. Tim Brennan of Doylestown Borough, seeks to amend the Public School Code to improve the availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and staff training on their use.
The bill mandates that all public schools have at least one AED in each school building and available at each athletic activity, with at least one staff member trained and certified in AED use and CPR present during school hours.
AED purchases would be considered eligible school safety expenses, and schools could accept donations for obtaining AEDs. The state Department of Education would also be able to accept and distribute AED donations and equipment for instructional purposes.
Employees required to receive AED training include school nurses, athletic coaches, marching band directors, physical education teachers, Athletic Trainers, and athletic training aides.
Rep. Brennan was inspired to introduce the bill after witnessing Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffer cardiac arrest on the football field, an incident in which Hamlin's life was saved by a first responder using an AED in conjunction with CPR.
“It left a big impression on me that Damar was saved by a first responder using an AED in addition to CPR. I’ve since introduced this and another AED bill that would require them in state-owned buildings.”
Quick access to an AED significantly increases survival odds for cardiac arrest victims. A 2018 study in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation found that the survival rate for public cardiac arrest victims jumps from less than 10% to up to 70% when an AED is used before first responders arrive.
“Undiscovered heart conditions and sudden blows to the chest are common causes of cardiac arrest in kids. Schools with AEDs and a plan can increase survival chances to up to 80% from this usually fatal condition. Supporting a commonsense, inexpensive remedy to an urgent health issue ought to be an obvious choice, so I’m expecting fast concurrence from the Senate.”
Dr. Charles W. Lentz, superintendent of New Hope-Solebury School District, emphasized the importance of AEDs and training:
“If these efforts help to protect the life of even one child, they are indispensable. Representative Brennan’s efforts will continue to work to ensure that our students have the support they need in cardiac medical emergencies.”
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