Legislation

Since Louis' tragic passing in 2000, it has been the Foundation's mission to raise awareness of the importance of having automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at schools and sporting events. All 50 states have enacted defibrillator laws or regulations. Several laws have been passed as a result of the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation's efforts.

New York State AED Legislation

The following list summarizes legislation enacted by New York State regarding AEDs:

• Louis' Law was implemented by Governor George Pataki on May 7, 2002. This law mandates that all public schools in New York State be equipped with AEDs in their buildings and at all sporting events.
• New York agencies are required to have AEDs in public buildings.
• New York's Good Samaritan Law now protects those who use an AED in efforts to save a life.
• Suffolk County, New York requires defibrillators in camps.
• New York State enacted specific signage to be posted for the lawful use of AEDs.
• Instruction on the use of AEDs is added to the health education curriculum of high schools in New York State in addition to training in CPR.
• AEDs are required in health and fitness clubs in New York State.

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Call to Action

A current call to action urges that AED and CPR training be required for New York State high schools, rather than voluntary. In New York, contact your local senators and assemblymen, and urge them to support this life saving bill or log onto Support CPR in Schools.

Anticipated arguments and replies:

This is an unfunded mandate and will be costly for schools.  
As CPR has evolved, it has gotten both easier and affordable. It is no longer just the "traditional" certified 6 hour course. There are many inexpensive options to learn CPR that do not entail taking a certified course. For example:

• CPR anytime kits cost less than $30  
• One manikin and a DVD – this is a one-time purchase and can be reused

CPR training can be incorporated into the school curriculum without recurring costs for schools.

Schools do not have time during the course of the year to teach core subjects, let alone CPR.
According to the latest science, trainees, including schoolchildren, can achieve acceptable levels of skills proficiency in adult CPR in 30 minutes or less. Surely schools can find the time during one or two health classes to teach this lifesaving skill.

We should not be legislating education curriculum.
Precedent has already been set in other areas. For example, §808 of Education law requires instruction in fire prevention and arson.

Why doesn’t the legislation require students to become certified in CPR?
Recognizing that CPR certification for every student would be costly, this bill simply requires students to learn the psychomotor skills of CPR. As noted above, studies have shown that trainees, including schoolchildren, can achieve acceptable levels of skills proficiency in adult CPR in 30 minutes or less. The legislation sets the minimum standard. Any school that already certifies students in CPR can continue to do so.

How does this bill differ from previous versions?
The bill has appeared in different forms; earlier versions were a straight mandate. The 2009-2010 bill asked the board of Regents to consider as part of the education curriculum. In addition, this does not require students to be certified, but rather to learn the skills of CPR.

Why now? What has changed with CPR guidelines that makes this easier for schools to do now?
The American Heart Association’s 2010 revised CPR guidelines make it even easier for more people to perform CPR. A greater emphasis is now placed on the simplest step - chest compressions.  

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Facts about SCA and CPR

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

• EMS treats nearly 300,000 victims of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest each year in the U.S.
• Less than 8 percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive to make it home from the hospital.
• Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time. Many victims appear healthy with no known heart disease or other risk factors.
• Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when electrical impulses in the heart become rapid or chaotic, which causes the heart to suddenly stop beating. A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked. A heart attack may cause cardiac arrest.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Less than one-third of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR.
• Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.
• Chest compressions should be provided at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute – the same rhythm as the beat of the Bee Gee’s song, "Stayin' Alive."
• Most students age 13 or older have the physical size and strength necessary to deliver effective chest compressions. The ability to assess a medical emergency and call 911 can be taught to younger students.

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