A new regulation is emphasizing cardiac emergency preparedness in Florida school districts.
Referred to as the Cardiac Emergencies Bill, HB 1607 will take effect on July 1, 2025. It mandates all schools in Florida to possess automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to address cardiac emergencies and for school district personnel to receive basic training in first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
As reported by the American Heart Association, nearly 70% of children survive cardiac arrests in schools equipped with AEDs. This survival rate is seven times higher than the 10% of individuals who survive cardiac arrests outside of a hospital setting in the U.S. each year.
Dr. Stephen Chelko, an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the College of Medicine at Florida State University, specializes in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy — a hereditary heart condition marked by cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, and myocardial fibrosis. This condition is often termed “sudden cardiac death,” which happens more frequently among younger populations.
His areas of specialization additionally encompass hypertension, heart failure, cardiovascular physiology, molecular cardiology, and electrocardiography.
Dr. Chelko considers HB 1607 to be a vital piece of legislation that empowers schools to manage abrupt cardiac incidents that rely on rapid safety protocols.
“I have never felt prouder of my state,” he commented. “Sudden cardiac death is a challenging subject to address, especially concerning our youth. However, children remain vulnerable to unexpected cardiac events, and thus mandating schools to incorporate these life-saving devices was a significant improvement to HB 1607.”
For further understanding of cardiac emergencies and the implications of this legislation, media can reach out to Dr. Chelko at [email protected].
Dr. Stephen Chelko, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine
As an authority on sudden cardiac death, how do you anticipate HB 1607 will influence survival rates?
“It will save thousands of lives. The Florida Department of Health reported that in 2023, Florida had an average of nearly 216 heart-related fatalities per 100,000 residents. Over 60% of these heart-related deaths stem from sudden cardiac death (SCD), suggesting that around 30,000 Floridians may have perished due to grave arrhythmic incidents. Less than 10% of individuals who undergo sudden cardiac arrest survive unless life-saving measures are executed within minutes. While CPR is vital for sustaining blood flow after a sudden cardiac event, the most effective response involves using an automated external defibrillator (AED). The survival chances diminish by 7-10% for each minute that passes without access to these crucial devices.
“HB 1607 will directly address these alarming statistics and work to mitigate SCD occurrences in Florida schools. If this law achieves even a 10-20% impact after its implementation, it could potentially save 3,000 to 6,000 lives annually in our state. The requirements within the legislation, which stipulate that specific staff and faculty undergo training in CPR, basic life support (BLS), and first aid, will yield lasting benefits for our state and the wider community. By instructing a broad spectrum of school personnel on how to react to sudden cardiac incidents, these additional regulations will create a network of trained individuals throughout the state who may save innumerable lives, not just within Florida schools but also in our neighborhoods.”
What are some of the most critical data points from your research on sudden cardiac death?
- Response time is crucial! Not every sudden cardiac incident will end in death. Immediate assistance should be given! Administering CPR and/or CPR/AED increases survival rates if executed within 2-3 minutes. If you are awaiting the arrival of an AED, commence chest compressions and continue until emergency personnel arrive.
- Frequency is often underestimated. I am not suggesting that SCD is underreported, but in my view, many do not realize how prevalent sudden cardiac incidents are in the general population.
- Sudden cardiac incidents can arise in individuals without a history of heart disease. This highlights the necessity for accessible AEDs and CPR/BLS education for those responsible for guiding one of Florida’s most precious assets — our children.
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