BISMARCK – The American Heart Association and the Smarts Heart Sports Coalition, made up of over 40 organizations, is backing House Bill 1363, which would require Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) in all North Dakota public, nonpublic schools and athletic events.

It is estimated that about 23,000 children younger than 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, according to the American Heart Association. About 40% of those events are sports-related. Without proper response from people nearby, 90% of these incidents of cardiac arrest will result in death.

“We’ve all seen incredible stories of survival, but those stories don’t just happen by accident,” said Tony Burke, government relations director for the American Heart Association in North Dakota. “A CERP can increase survival rates by 50% or more through a coordinated, practiced response plan where individuals and teams are trained and empowered to administer lifesaving care until EMS arrives.”

Whether in the classroom or on the playing field, having a plan in place to enable faculty, staff and students to quickly, and correctly, respond to a cardiac emergency can save lives. CPR, if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. And in schools with AEDs, approximately 70% of children survive cardiac arrest – seven times the overall survival rate for children, the association reported.

Schools are often a gathering place for community events. Parents and community members are often at schools for plays, concerts, and athletic events, so schools having a plan that is regularly reviewed and practiced can have a tremendous impact.

According to the bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Lisa Meier, deaths by heart disease in North Dakota have risen by 12% from 2018 to 2022 and heart disease is the leading cause of death for North Dakotans. She said there are effective solutions to this problem, including having CERPs in place, CPR education, automated external defibrillator (AED) access and training.

“Implementing Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in schools and athletic facilities in North Dakota is critically important to save lives in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest,” Meier said. “Much like fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, AEDs should be part of the systematic operation of schools and athletic facilities, including creating and practicing a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan regularly.”

The bill will be heard by the House Education Committee at 4 p.m. on Monday.