Is your school prepped for a cardiac emergency? MN advocates hope so

They may sit empty right now, but high school athletic fields and gyms will soon be active with practices for fall sports ramping up. Health advocacy groups in Minnesota hope more schools are being proactive in preparing for a cardiac emergency.

Each year, according to the American Heart Association, about 23,000 children 18 and younger experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. Many states are adopting laws requiring schools to have response plans in place, either for sporting events or in the classroom - but Minnesota isn’t among them.

Dale Wakasugi, owner of My AED and CRP Solutions and a volunteer for the American Heart Association of Minnesota, is a former Minnesota high school referee who experienced cardiac arrest during a game several years ago.

“Several people came to my rescue, including a 16-year-old high school student who had just learned CPR,” he said. “Her and several bystanders came out and did two rounds of CPR - no response. They put an AED on me, one shock, and brought me back.”

Wakasugi, who is now a certified CPR trainer and sells life-saving devices, said he hopes his story inspires school districts to train staff and have the right equipment onsite until Minnesota requires such planning. Supporters of a bill tried to get it passed last session, but there was some pushback over certain language. Backers hope to get the differences sorted out next year.

Minnesota law does require CPR training for students, and Wakasugi said that, as a whole, the state is among the leaders for survival rates. Still, he said, it’s important to keep raising awareness, especially among younger people.

“That’s why there are several foundations out there now trying to encourage screening for high school students,” he said.

Health experts have said sudden cardiac arrest among young people is rare. But Wakasugi and other advocates say detecting issues ahead of time can prevent a tragedy on the court, in the field or in the classroom. Officials say the preparation that could be required can be standalone guidelines, or merged with a school’s existing emergency response plan.