Don't repeal Indiana's life-saving CPR, AED law for schools | Letters

Keeping students and families safe at school should be a top priority. And last year, great strides were made when the Indiana Legislature passed a law requiring schools to have cardiac emergency response plans for all venues. Those plans included requirements for CPR-trained individuals and AEDs to be at all events, ensuring a quick response to cardiac emergencies. It also included opportunities for schools to access grant funding to purchase AEDs.

States across the country are adopting similar legislation as the American Heart Association works to create a nation of lifesavers.

But last week, state Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, introduced legislation that would undermine those efforts in Indiana and repeal the CPR and AED requirements, effectively putting every student, family member and referee at greater risk of dying in the event of a cardiac emergency at school events.

Unfortunately, these events happen more frequently than anyone would like. Less than a month ago, the headlines in Indiana were filled with the news of a referee collapsing on a basketball court.

When a student, grandparent or referee suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, minutes matter. Having a coordinated plan to respond, including staff who know CPR and having AEDs on site, saves lives.

The lives of our children are too important to repeal the CPR and AED requirements that were passed last year.