In case you weren’t aware, a new CA state law (AB 1719) just went into effect (August) that now requires mandatory hands-on CPR training in all High Schools and Charter Schools – grades 9-12. Hands-on CPR training is now a graduation requirement. This new law was enacted to help increase survival rates for victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, a major cause of death striking more than 1,000 persons/day. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart stops and can no longer pump blood and oxygen to the brain or vital organs. Cardiac arrest emergencies can happen to anyone, anytime and anywhere. Sadly, more than 90% of victims do not survive a trip to the hospital because they did not receive CPR treatment in time – before the Paramedics arrive. If performed immediately, CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
The Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council Health & Public Safety Committee has worked for more than 2 years to train teachers, school administrators, students as well as Lake Balboa community residents and stakeholders to be better prepared whenever someone suffers an unexpected cardiac arrest emergency. Since 2017, our Health & Public Safety committee has successfully CPR trained over 2,500 persons. As a parent or guardian of high school age kids, you are urged to follow up with your child’s school to make sure that they are aware of the requirements of the new state law and are making plans to implement student hands-on CPR training. There are several resources available to provide the training at little or no cost to the school. This new law (AB 1719) will produce more than 2 million CPR trained students in 2018. The next generation of first responders will be trained to provide help to cardiac arrest victims at home, at work, or at school. Questions? Contact James Brown, Chair, Health/Public Safety - Lake Balboa NC 818-517-6732
