Michigan law requiring cardiac emergency response plans in schools operates on honor system
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LANSING, Mich. (InvestigateTV) — A 14-year-old athlete collapsed during track practice and her body was going rigid as coaches rushed to her side.
Within seconds, assistant track coach Andrew DeHaan, a nurse, was by her side, on the phone with 911 and performing CPR. Another coach retrieved an automated external defibrillator from the nearby concession stand.
The quick response saved Alyssa Atkinson’s life.
“It could have been so different if my coaches didn’t know what they were doing,” Atkinson said.
TheincidentoccurredlessthanayearafterMichiganGov.GretchenWhitmersignedalawin2024requiringeverypublicschooltohaveacardiacemergencyresponseplan.
Duringthesigning,WhitmerwasjoinedbyBuffaloBillsplayerDamarHamlin,whoexperiencedacardiacarrestonthefieldin2023.
Youngathletesfacerarebutdeadlyrisk
Suddencardiacarrestclaimsthelivesof2,000childrenandteensannuallyintheUnitedStates,accordingtoChildren’sHospitalofPhiladelphia.
Theconditionoccurswhentheheartsuddenlystopsbeating,usua
