NORWICH – Last week, New York high school students came one step closer to having yet more work placed upon their curriculum as legislation was passed ahead of the summer break – but few are complaining.
The administration of CPR training in public high schools throughout the state is now permitted thanks to the rallied efforts of supporters such as Doreen Rowe and her daughter Amy of Norwich, who assembled at the Capital in Albany earlier in the month looking to bring CPR training to high school classrooms.
“After dinner one evening last December, I thought I had indigestion,” Doreen Rowe said. “I was going into cardiac arrest.” That’s when Amy Rowe, Doreene’s 25-year-old daughter, acted upon instinct and initiated life-saving CPR to her ailing mother.
After calling 911, Amy performed CPR on her mother for nearly 23 minutes. “She saved my life... I was in a coma for eight days, but I am doing well now,” said Rowe.
Since May 5 – on every legislative day – the American Heart Association has shared a story of someone impacted sudden cardiac arrest with lawmakers and media, and shared it on social media.
On June 3, Doreen and Amy congregated with other organizers at the Legislative Office Building at the Capitol as part of the American Heart Association's CPR Rally.
The mother and daughter duo stood stationed next to a 6’ tall banner emblazoned with Doreen's photo as they and scores of others waited to meet with their legislator to ask for his support in joining the CPR Rally.
The AHA's June 3 rally included the unveiling of a gallery complete with 24 banners, each approximately 6’ in height. In addition to the Rowes, more than one hundred American Heart Association volunteers also met with their legislators to advocate for the passage of the CPR in Schools Bill.
The elder Rowe was “Reason No. 13” of the 24 on display June 3, proudly advocating for the passage of the legislation, which was made official last Thursday, June 12.
The banners represented individual survivors of cardiac episodes who are alive today because someone present knew CPR. Volunteers at the rally also demonstrated how easy it is to perform CPR to onlookers.
Said Rowe, “The Doctors still don’t know what caused my heart to stop. What if my daughter hadn’t been there? What if she hadn’t known CPR?”
Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg worked along side Senator Mark Grisanti to write the bill.
“CPR is a lifesaving solution,” said Weisenberg. “As a former police officer, school administrator and lifeguard, I know firsthand that we need bystander CPR to save lives. Many people are alive today because individuals trained in CPR,” he said in a news release.
The Bill that was passed by the Senate will require the State Commissioner of Education to make recommendations to the Board of Regents to enable high school students to be trained in CPR and the use of automated defibrillators.
According to the AHA, nearly 400,000 people have cardiac arrest issues outside of a hospital every year.
Nearly 10 percent of them don't survive because they do not receive CPR. CPR can double or triple survival rates of those experiencing a cardiac episode outside of a medical facility if given right away.
“Schools prepare students with essential life skills, and CPR skills are among the most critical lifesaving skills that make our communities safer, year after year,” Senator Grisanti said in a statement. “It takes only a few minutes to teach CPR. Sixteen states are now ensuring students learn CPR prior to graduation and it’s time to add New York to the list.”
Grisanti continued, “Schools prepare students with essential life skills, and CPR skills are among the most critical lifesaving skills that make our communities safer, year after year. It’s time to add New York to the growing list of states that have passed this legislation.”