SUBSTITUTE FOR
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 273
1 A resolution to declare June 1-7, 2024, as CPR and AED
2 Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.
3 Whereas, Michigan communities were saddened by the tragic
4 sudden death of Wes Leonard in 2011, a young student-athlete, after
5 a high school basketball game in Fennville. This young athlete was
6 not the first victim of sudden cardiac arrest and he will not be
7 the last. Tragedies such as these, however, have boosted support
8 for successful efforts to ensure that external defibrillators are
9 more readily available; and
10 Whereas, Other young student-athletes, adult coaches, adult
11 spectators and even some young spectators may be at risk of sudden
12 cardiac arrest. There are often no warning signs or symptoms that
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1 someone may fall victim to sudden cardiac arrest. When sudden
2 cardiac arrest occurs, action must be swift. The administration of
3 CPR and restoration of the heart rhythm with an automated external
4 defibrillator, or AED, device in the first minutes after an arrest
5 buys time for first responders to treat and transport a victim to a
6 hospital where more lifesaving measures can be administered; and
7 Whereas, Across the state, our schools are gathering places
8 for many people in our communities. It makes sense to locate AED
9 devices where large crowds gather to increase the chance that this
10 technology will be available when an arrest occurs; and
11 Whereas, Training is inexpensive, and AEDs are easy to use.
12 Response plans can outline the training and procedures for making
13 an AED device accessible at a site where the crowd is gathered.
14 Planning need not be onerous, but is necessary to make sure the
15 procedure is consistent with how community facilities are used and
16 trained users are present and ready to use an AED at events; now,
17 therefore, be it
18 Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of
19 this legislative body declare June 1-7, 2024, as CPR and AED
20 Awareness Week in the state of Michigan; and be it further
21 Resolved, That the House of Representatives declares the
22 importance of CPR training and AEDs in public spaces and their
23 capacity to save the lives of young and old alike.
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