Detroit turned into a field of hope yesterday when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed two critical bills intended to tackle the issue of sudden cardiac arrest among young athletes. Under the new law, schools across Michigan will now be required to have detailed cardiac emergency response plans that include the presence of AEDs (automated external defibrillators) and mandatory training for school staff on how to use them. According to The Detroit Free Press, Whitmer underscored the importance of sports in Michigan at the signing, which coincided with the NFL draft. "It's a fundamental part of life, it brings us together, it teaches us important lessons, but it also can be dangerous," Whitmer said.
During the ceremony, Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, whose personal brush with death brought the issue to the fore, was present to witness the landmark legislation. Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during a game in January 2023, an event that has since spurred him to advocate for greater access to lifesaving AEDs and CPR training. In a move that placed him at the heart of the matter, he announced a donation of 60 AEDs through his foundation to Michigan high schools, as reported by The Detroit News.
Marking a new chapter in the state's approach to athletic safety, House Bills 5527 and 5528 put forth measures that ensure every public and private high school coach maintains CPR and AED training certification. "Saving lives from sudden cardiac arrest depends on having a strong chain of survival across the emergency response system,” stated American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown during the event, according to The Detroit News. The organization has been a staunch advocate for the passed legislation.
Making a hard-hitting impact beyond the gridiron, Michigan now joins other states like Florida and Georgia that have passed similar laws focused on preventing cardiac emergencies in school settings, as 13 ON YOUR SIDE notes. "Today is another big step in our ongoing work to keep people safe across Michigan," State Representative John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) proudly boasted after the signing of the bills.
