Advocate Spotlight: Payton Jones

In the heart of Bristol, Vermont, lives a remarkable young woman whose life-changing experience has propelled her on a mission to ensure the safety of student-athletes across the state. At just 11 years old during a swim meet in Essex, VT, Payton Jones suffered a sudden cardiac arrest – an event that could have ended tragically were it not for the quick actions of those around her. Today, at 23, she shares her story, not just as a survivor but as a beacon of hope and an advocate for change. 

“I’m lucky to be alive,” Payton begins, recounting the terrifying moment when her heart stopped. An undiagnosed heart condition, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), triggered the cardiac arrest. This rare condition often reveals itself under intense stress, making young athletes particularly vulnerable. Payton’s story is a chilling reminder of the unpredictability of such heart conditions and the critical need for immediate response capabilities.

The swift actions of a lifeguard, a physician on site, and the Essex Fire Department and Rescue Team, along with the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), were instrumental in Payton’s survival. She was revived and received continued care, both at a local hospital and later at a children’s hospital, which she credits for her being alive today.

However, Payton is acutely aware that her survival story is an exception. “Not all cardiac arrests have a happy ending,” she points out. With only about 40% of people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital getting the immediate help they need and only 10% surviving, the need for widespread CPR training and accessible AEDs is glaringly apparent.

Cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among student-athletes, with more than 23,000 children under 18 experiencing cardiac arrests outside of a hospital each year in the U.S. Payton’s condition, CPVT, accounts for 15% of cardiac deaths in the young, highlighting a critical area for attention and action.

In response to her experience and the stark statistics surrounding sudden cardiac arrest, Payton has joined forces with the American Heart Association. Together, we are working to ensure that all Vermont schools and athletic events are equipped with Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs). These plans can dramatically increase survival rates by ensuring that a trained response team is ready to take immediate action.

Payton’s advocacy is not just about preparing for emergencies; it’s a call to action for Vermont lawmakers to prioritize the health and safety of students. By implementing legislation that mandates CERPs in schools, the reliance on luck for survival can be eliminated.

Payton Jones’s journey from a survivor to an advocate is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the impact one person can have on the lives of many. Her message is clear: the time to act is now. No student should have to rely on chance for survival in the face of cardiac arrest. Through her efforts and the support of other You’re the Cure Advocates, Payton hopes to see a future where everyone in Vermont has the best possible chance of surviving a cardiac emergency.