Michigan House considers bills for enhanced cardiac emergency response in schools

LANSING, Mich. — Each year, nearly 360,000 people experience cardiac arrests outside of the hospital, but only 10% survive, according to the American Heart Association.

In an effort to bring this number down, the Michigan House of Representatives heard testimonies surrounding two bills that would require cardiac emergency response in schools and at other related events Tuesday.

“Cardiac emergency response plans will ensure schools, school athletic facilities, and events have the tools and resources to respond to a cardiac emergency, and provide guidance around placement, maintenance, and use of an AED," Cindie DeWolf, Mission Advancement Advisor for the American Heart Association, said. "Additionally, we want to ensure all coaches are trained in CPR and AED use."

Related: Mattawan man thanks Michigan State Police for saving his life after cardiac arrest

If implemented, House Bills 5527-5528 would do the following:

Make sure schools, their athletic facilities and events have the tools needed to respond to a cardiac emergency

Provide guidance around placement, maintenance and use of an AED

Ensure all coaches are trained in CPR and AED use as CPR, if done immediately, can nearly triple a person's chance of survival

As of Tuesday, both legislation have only been introduced in the House.

Each must be passed in both the House and Senate before being sent to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to be officially signed into law.