By Okon Ekpenyong

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a landmark legislation, House Bill 47requiring Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at school sporting events.

“The evidence is clear: AEDs save lives,” said Governor DeWine.

“While we know that sudden cardiac arrest is the number one killer of student-athletes in America, we also know the vast majority who get immediate help from an AED survive. The difference these devices make is astounding. Having them on standby in our schools to safeguard our students is a must.”

According to the CDC, more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States. An estimated 70-90% of these people die before reaching the hospital.

However, the American Heart Association reports that nine out of 10 cardiac arrest victims will live if they receive a shock from an AED in the first minute after an incident.

Due to the collaborative efforts of State Representatives Richard Brown and Adam Bird, the bill aims to enhance student-athlete safety and save lives.

The legislation was prompted by the cardiac arrest of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during a game in Ohio on January 3, 2023. Hamlin, who couldn’t attend the signing ceremony, praised the bill through his non-profit organization, Chasing M’s Foundation. His personal story and advocacy for the bill make the legislation more than just a law but a lifeline for those in need.

Governor DeWine emphasized the importance of AEDs, citing their potential to save up to 90% of cardiac arrest victims if used within the first minute. This hopeful statistic, along with the personal testimony of Canen Dickman, a student-athlete whose life was saved by an AED, brings a sense of optimism to the legislation.

Governor DeWine’s office reports that per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, it shows that the United States experiences over 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year. Tragically, it’s estimated that 70-90% of these individuals do not survive and pass away before arriving at the hospital.

And statistics provided by the American Heart Association further explain why using AED is genuinely a life-saving approach. They indicate that approximately nine out of ten victims can survive if they receive an administrated Automated External Defibrillator (AED) within the first minute of the incident. This underscores the critical importance of readily accessible AEDs in saving lives.

Nicole Ward, who lost her husband to cardiac arrest and is the mother of Cleveland Browns player Denzel Ward, also praised the legislation. She has been a vocal advocate for the bill and started a foundation raising awareness about AEDs and CPR. Ward highlighted the NFL’s efforts to educate coaches on player safety and emphasized the issue’s urgency.

Hamlin, who has made it his mission to ensure others have access to medical care, stated, “Because of what I experienced, I’m working to make sure kids across the country have the same access to life-saving care that I did.” He praised the new law, calling it a “big victory for young people throughout Ohio” and a “team win.”

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