Last week, the Chicago Tribune featured an article discussing a movement aimed at mandating high school training for using portable defibrillators. George Laman, grieving over the loss of his daughter who passed away while rehearsing with her high school drill team, questions why no one nearby used a defibrillator to revive her heart. On the other hand, Eric Bell attributes his survival to his son learning CPR. These two suburban families have now joined forces to advocate for state legislation requiring high school students to be trained in both using the life-saving device and performing CPR. Their initiative has already gained significant support in the Illinois House, passing overwhelmingly, and they are now focusing on securing Senate approval after a recent committee vote.
However, funding remains a challenge for schools looking to implement this training. Democratic Representative Dan Burke from Chicago, who is leading the effort in the House, proposes that local fire departments could offer these lifesaving lessons for free, following the model set by organizations like the Red Cross and the American Heart Association. “Fire departments can train the school staff, who can then pass it on to the students,†he explained.
Despite the good intentions behind the proposal, a group representing school boards across the state opposes it, labeling it another "unfunded mandate," particularly given the current fiscal instability in the state.
The bill has strong backing from the American Heart Association, which highlights that using either CPR or an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can significantly improve survival chances, doubling or tripling them. However, time is critical—every minute without assistance reduces the victim's chance of survival by 10%, leaving paramedics with less than ten minutes to reach the scene.
Lauren Laman, George's 18-year-old daughter, tragically collapsed and died in February 2008 while rehearsing a dance routine at St. Charles North High School. She had been previously diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse but was cleared by her doctor to participate in athletics, with school officials aware of her condition.
Eric Bell’s family knows firsthand the importance of CPR training. In January, Bell, 50, suffered a heart attack due to a blocked artery. His son Harry, along with his wife Brigette, performed CPR for 12 minutes until paramedics arrived. Harry, a 17-year-old junior at Fenwick High School, learned CPR during his freshman health class, while Brigette received her knowledge from watching CPR demonstrations at a restaurant just a week prior to her husband's incident.
George Laman emphasizes that with portable defibrillators becoming increasingly accessible and user-friendly, educating people on their proper use is the next crucial step. As the movement gains momentum, it seeks broader adoption across Illinois, aiming to make CPR training a standard part of high school curriculums.
*Thanks, Dan.*
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