Capps Introduces Legislation to Help Save Lives by Teaching Students CPR and How to Use an AED ‪

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Santa Barbara, CA – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) announced she has introduced the Teaching Children to Save Lives Act (H.R. 3189), legislation that would provide grants to assist schools with teaching students across the country the life saving skills of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Every second counts when someone is suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. That’s why it’s so important to teach school children and teens what they can do to help save the life of a classmate, family member or even a complete stranger. Lifesaving skills like CPR and knowing how to use an AED will stay with students throughout their lives. As a grandmother, and as a former school nurse, I can think of few better pieces of knowledge than the ability to give Sudden Cardiac Arrest victims a fighting chance at life,” said Capps.

‪The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association applauds Congresswoman Capps for her leadership and recognition that we must empower our youth with the knowledge and tools to respond to sudden cardiac arrest when it occurs in their community.  The “Teaching Children to Save Lives Act” will train and encourage the next generation to quickly respond when they see their peers, a parent or a stranger suddenly drop to the ground by using the two best tools available to anyone: CPR and an AED,” commented Lisa Levine, CEO and President of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the U.S., killing nearly 300,000 people annually – including about 6,500 young people. That trend has grown recently, especially among student athletes. Recently, Angela Gettis, a 16 year old California cheerleader collapsed at a football game from SCA and later passed away. In Texas, two teachers performed CPR and used an AED to revive Kylee Shea, a 7th grade student that had collapsed on her way to gym class. ‪ The survival rate for victims of SCA is very low, less than one in ten SCA victims survives. However, studies have shown that survival rates can be 34 percent or higher if victims of SCA are treated immediately before the arrival of first responders, saving as many as 100,000 lives if more people were trained in CPR and AED response. 

H.R. 3189 would authorize the U.S. Department of Education to award grants to local educational agencies or public elementary and secondary schools to implement CPR and AED training programs.  Schools would use these funds to train teachers and school officials as CPR and AED instructors or work in conjunction with community organizations, such as local fire and police departments, hospitals, parent-teacher associations and others to provide CPR and AED training.  The grants could also fund the purchase of AED machines and training materials, such as mannequins and instruction books.

The Teaching Children to Save Lives Act is endorsed by: American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Center for Resuscitation Science at the University of Pennsylvania, Chad Foundation for Athletes and Artists, Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation, Florida Heart Research Institute, Heart Rhythm Society, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association – HCMA, KEN Heart Foundation, Matthew Krug Foundation, Mended Hearts, Inc., National Athletic Trainers’ Association, National Education Association, National Safety Council , NENA: The 9-1-1 Association, Parent Heart Watch, Project ADAM, Project S.A.V.E., Run For Sarah Foundation, SADS Foundation, Saving Young Hearts, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation and Take Heart America. ‪ 

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