Is Your School Prepared for a Cardiac Emergency?

When we think of school safety, fire drills and lockdown procedures often come to mind. However, there’s another urgent concern that deserves attention: cardiac arrest.

Did you know that each year in the U.S., around 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals? Only 40% of these incidents occur during sports, underscoring that the risk goes beyond athletic settings.

We are working with Washington lawmakers to adopt legislation that will implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) in schools. These plans ensure preparedness for cardiac arrest emergencies that could affect students, faculty, coaches, or anyone on school grounds. A CERP is a clear, written plan detailing actions to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest in any setting, such as a school, workplace, or sports facility.

For schools, a comprehensive Cardiac Emergency Response Plan would include:

• Designation of a sudden cardiac emergency response team,
• Clear protocols for rapid activation during a cardiac event,
• Strategic placement and maintenance of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) in line with best practices,
• Communication of the plan throughout the school community,
• Routine emergency drills, and
• Coordination with local EMS, with special provisions for athletic events to ensure AED accessibility.

Do you or someone you know have personal experience with cardiac arrest in a school setting, involving either a student or adult? If so click here to share your story with us. We’re seeking volunteers willing to share their stories to help inform policy solutions and bring this issue to life for decision-makers.