Michigan students would be required to learn CPR before they graduate from high school under a bill that's on its way to Gov. Snyder's desk.
This week, the state House voted in favor of legislation that would require students that students receive CPR instruction at least once between 7th and 12th grade. It would be up to school districts to decide when and how to incorporate the training into their curriculum.
According to the American Heart Association, nearly 375,000 people suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year. Only 8% survive.
Brad Uren, an emergency physician with the University of Michigan Hospital, says there's a crucial window after someone suffers a cardiac episode and before the ambulance arrives.
He says if CPR training becomes mandatory in schools, each year there would be 100,000 more people in the community who know what to do during those critical minutes.
"In other states where they've done this, they've seen a doubling of their survival rates. In Michigan, that would mean one more life saved every single day," Uren said.
The bill won unanimous approval from the Senate back in May. It now heads to Gov. Rick Snyder, who is expected to sign it.
Copyright 2016 Michigan Radio
