SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson’s law to require athletic head coaches to learn life-saving techniques has been signed.
“Student athletes depend on coaches for not only leadership and guidance, but also safety during high-intensity activities,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “CPR training equips coaches with the skills and confidence to act quickly in cardiac emergencies and protect the lives of those in their care.”
House Bill 3275 will require all paid school head coaches and chief sponsors of the sports activities to obtain training in CPR, first aid and the use of an AED. School districts will be required to conduct an annual cardiac response drill to practice the steps established in its cardiac emergency response plan. The drills are able to be conducted without student participation.
According to the American Heart Association an estimated 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest in the US each year, and 90% of victims die unless someone nearby is trained to respond.
“Knowing how to respond during a cardiac emergency empowers ordinary people to save lives,” Johnson said. “Education and preparedness turn bystanders into lifesavers when moments matter most.”
House Bill 3275 was signed into law Friday.
