Building a Nation of Lifesavers in Colorado

June 1-7 is National CPR and Awareness Week. It is the perfect time to remind everyone about the importance of knowing how to save a life in a cardiac emergency.  We are urging everyone to learn Hands Only CPR.

Why it Matters

More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur every year in the United States and 90% will be fatal. Immediate CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) use can double or even triple someone’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. But sadly, less than half of all people who need this lifesaving intervention receive CPR from bystanders before professional help arrives.

This CPR and AED Awareness Week, the American Heart Association is challenging everyone to join the Nation of Lifesavers and commit to make CPR and AED awareness and education a permanent fixture in all communities across the country.

What is Happening in Colorado

In Colorado, advocates worked with legislators to pass a bill that updated AED requirements. The bill requires schools to adhere nationally recognized AED guidelines, ensuring devices are in unlocked known locations, and maintained and reachable within three minutes during cardia emergencies. It also removed requirements for AEDs to have an authorized user list and a physician signature, provisions that could deter people from using an AED when needed.

Advocates are still working on requiring cardiac emergency response plans in all schools and finding funding to help schools pay for CPR training and AEDs.

Thanks to efforts of advocates and elected leaders, Colorado is better prepared to save a life in a cardiac emergency and has become a part of the Nation of Lifesavers.

Getting Involved

You can help! Learn more about our policy work and efforts to build a Nation of Lifesavers here.

Use your superpower.  Your personal experience brings issues to life for decision makers.  And that is powerful!  Help us build a Nation of Lifesavers by sharing your story.  Simply click here to tell us all about it.