[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE CARDIAC ARREST SURVIVAL ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                          HON. GERRY E. STUDDS

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 1996

  Mr. STUDDS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce the Cardiac Arrest 
Survival Act of 1995. This legislation would encourage greater training 
of citizens and professionals who respond first to victims whose heart 
suddenly stops, known as cardiac arrest, or other cases of serious 
trauma injury. It would expand the number of health professionals and 
members of the lay public who are trained to perform life savings 
techniques, such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation [CPR], rescue 
breathing, relieving airway obstruction, and other first aid 
techniques.
  Each year, approximately 350,000 people die when they suffer cardiac 
arrest. Less than 5 percent of people suffering cardiac arrest outside 
of a hospital survive, according to the American Heart Association.
  I know we can do better than this. We owe it to ourselves and our 
loved ones to try. For instance, in Seattle, where CPR training is 
required for high school students, cab drivers, and Seattle sports 
arena vendors, and is offered free to anyone who wants it, a person is 
five times more likely to survive a cardiac arrest than in most other 
parts of the country. In Seattle, the average survival rate for cardiac 
arrest is 29 percent and rises to 40 percent for victims who receive 
the quickest emergency response.
  As a member of the Health Subcommittee, I have received evidence that 
strongly suggests that we should be training more people to learn CPR. 
Merely eight States currently require elementary and secondary school 
teachers to be trained in CPR and first aid before receiving a teaching 
certificate. Only 15 States demand that athletic coaches know CPR, 
while 16 States require students to learn CPR.
  But even if we expand these programs, we must ask, ``Are we training 
the right people?'' A recent study of CPR training courses by Dr. Nisha 
Chandra, a Johns Hopkins researcher and member of the American Heart 
Association's Emergency Cardiac Care Committee, found that three out of 
four of those participating in an American Red Cross CPR training 
course were under age 40. However, the people most likely to be called 
on to use CPR in the home, where 70 percent of cardiac arrests occur, 
are those between 50 and 70. We should be training more older Americans 
to perform CPR.
  The need for CPR training is particularly acute in the 10th 
Congressional District of Massachusetts where there is a high 
proportion of elderly residents. I believe it is essential to increase 
public awareness of this issue. In fact, many of my congressional staff 
have received CPR training.
  But, according to the American Heart Association, CPR training is not 
enough. To increase survival after cardiac arrest, a sequence of events 
needs to occur, including early CPR response--within 4 minutes--opening 
airways and providing oxygen, administering electric shock, known as 
defibrillation--to restore heart rhythm--and medication. Each of these 
activities must be successfully linked in a chain of survival. Any weak 
link in this chain undermines the likelihood of success.
  This legislation I am introducing today would encourage States to 
increase CPR and life saving first aid training for anyone likely to be 
in frequent contact with people at high risk of cardiac arrest, such as 
health professional, police and fire personnel, athletic coaches, and 
lifeguards. In addition, States would be encouraged to train members of 
the lay public, such as school teachers, high school students, licensed 
professionals, and even anyone applying for a driver's license.
  The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services would be 
directed to develop recommendations to States regarding how to increase 
training in CPR and other life saving techniques and who should be 
trained. The Secretary would make recommendations regarding how to 
increase the availability of automatic external defibrillators on 
ambulances, in large public buildings, and at large public gatherings, 
such as sports events.
  The Secretary would also recommend approaches to reduce the cost of 
liability insurance associated with defibrillators to make them more 
affordable and available. The Secretary would study options for self-
insurance by the Federal Government for defibrillators it buys and 
consider the advisability of establishing an industry funded 
compensation fund to pay claims arising from devices purchased by 
private entities.
  Finally, the Secretary would monitor the frequency of cardiac arrest 
and survival and report to the Congress regarding improvement in these 
areas.
  This legislation would not mandate any State or local actions and 
would authorize only the funds necessary to carry out authorized 
Federal activities.
  I urge my colleagues to join the American Heart Association, the 
American Red Cross, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, 
and the National Association of EMS Physicians in support of this 
potentially life saving legislation.

                          ____________________