When Seconds Matter: Mississippi Schools Are Preparing to Save Lives
October 19, 2026
A student collapses during basketball practice.
A teacher experiences sudden cardiac arrest in the hallway.
A parent suffers sudden cardiac arrest while attending a school event.
These are moments no school wants to face, but they are exactly why being prepared matters.
October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about a life-threatening emergency that strike without warning and the actions that can help save a life.
People often confuse sudden cardiac arrest with a heart attack, but they are not the same. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating due to an electrical malfunction. Without immediate action, survival can depend on what happens within the first few minutes.
Nine out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital do not survive. However, immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.
That’s why preparation matters.
A Life-Saving Step Forward for Mississippi
In 2024, Mississippi took an important step toward protecting students, educators and families by requiring public schools to implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs).
A CERP is a written, practiced plan that helps ensure a coordinated response to a cardiac emergency. It establishes clear procedures for calling 911, starting CPR, using an AED and coordinating with local emergency responders.
Just as schools routinely prepare for severe weather, fires and other emergencies, they should also be prepared to respond to sudden cardiac arrest.
The American Heart Association was proud to support the passage of Senate Bill 2349, authored by Senator Nicole Boyd and championed in the House by Representative Kent McCarty. Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, the law requires Mississippi public schools to develop and implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans, helping ensure schools have a clear strategy for responding when every second counts.
Turning Plans into Preparedness
Passing a law is an important first step. Putting it into practice is what saves lives.
Schools must train staff, conduct drills, maintain AEDs and regularly review emergency procedures. After all, a plan is only as effective as the people and resources behind it.
Across Mississippi, schools are putting these plans into action, helping create safer environments for students, teachers, coaches, staff and visitors.
As implementation continues, the American Heart Association will continue advocating for solutions that help schools be prepared when a cardiac emergency occurs. That includes supporting funding to help schools implement CERPs and advancing policies that improve access to AEDs. When every second counts, having the right tools and training in place can help save a life.
Creating a Safer Future
Every student deserves to learn in a safe environment. Every parent should feel confident their child’s school is prepared for an emergency. And every school should have the tools and training needed to respond when a life is on the line.
This Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, we’re celebrating the progress Mississippi has made and recommitting ourselves to the work ahead. Because when sudden cardiac arrest happens, preparation isn’t just important. It can save a life.
Learn More and Take Action
Want to be prepared to help in a cardiac emergency? Learning Hands-Only CPR, knowing how to use an AED and understanding how Cardiac Emergency Response Plans work can help save lives. Explore these American Heart Association resources to learn more.