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Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms

Building a Nation of Lifesavers in Louisiana Schools

Stronger School Preparedness for Cardiac Emergencies

With schools across Louisiana back in session, we’re grateful that school campuses and athletic programs are now better equipped to respond to cardiac emergencies—thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of American Heart Association Heart Powered advocates. This progress is part of the Association’s Nation of Lifesavers movement, which aims to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030.

Three Years of Advocacy and Action

Over the past three legislative sessions, the Association has worked to ensure schools are ready to save lives during cardiac emergencies on campus or at a school-sponsored athletic events. Since 2023, the Association and its passionate volunteers have championed the following milestones:

  • SB12 (2023), authored by former Senator Cleo Fields, took a major first step by requiring schools to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs), train school personnel in CPR and AED use, and have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site. The bill also secured $1.5 million for AED procurement and implementation. SB12 was signed into law as Act 234 of 2023.
  • SB54 (2024), sponsored by Senator Bill Wheat, built on the previous year’s progress by requiring high school coaches to complete training in CPR, AED use, and First Aid. The legislation passed without a single vote of opposition and became Act 95 of 2024.
  • HB 1, State Budget (2025), provided funding for CPR and AED training for high school coaches, ensuring they receive two-year certifications in life-saving skills, thanks to the leadership of Representative Jack McFarland.

“Comprehensive emergency response plans will give people the best chance at surviving a cardiac emergency,” said Erica Williams, Louisiana government relations director, American Heart Association. “I applaud Gov. Landry for signing this final and critical piece of this milestone CERPs plan into law. With the help of Representative McFarland, Senator Wheat, and former Senator Fields, Louisiana is taking a revolutionary step toward securing multigenerational health in the state.”

Louisiana Joins a Growing National Effort

Governor Landry signed HB 1 into law on June 20, 2025. With this final piece in place, schools now have the funding to implement CERPs and ensure coaches receive proper training in CPR and AED use. Once fully implemented, these plans can increase survival rates from cardiac arrest by 50% or more for the millions of people who attend, visit and work at Louisiana schools every day.

“A critical portion of our state’s population passes through the doors of schools each day to teach, to learn and to share,” said Candice Whigham, Louisiana state advocacy committee chair and educator. “Now, all who attend, visit or work at our Louisiana education centers know they will be surrounded by people who are capable of being lifesavers, rather than bystanders.”

Why It Matters

With this three-year campaign complete, Louisiana joins a growing number of states nationwide working to better prepare schools and school athletic programs to respond to cardiac arrests through the creation of cardiac emergency response plans. More than two dozen states have passed these laws, with several more expected to follow soon.

Each year, an estimated 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital in the U.S. In schools where AEDs are available, 70% of children survive cardiac arrest – more than seven times the overall survival rate for children. CPR – another critical part of CERP – can double or triple a person’s chances of survival in a cardiac emergency when performed immediately.

With these measures now in place, Louisiana schools are helping build a Nation of Lifesavers—where students, staff, and visitors are surrounded by people trained and ready to respond in a cardiac emergency. By expanding CPR and AED training and implementing cardiac emergency response plans, schools are creating safer environments and empowering communities with the tools to act when every second counts.