My Efforts to Train the Next Generation of Life Savers in Nevada

Guest Blogger: Steve Schauer, CPR/AED Task Force Chair, Nevada

In 2011 I had a sudden cardiac arrest at my office and thanks to the quick actions of a coworker – I am alive and well today. Thankfully my coworker was CPR certified and was nearby to immediately assess the situation and act. He began chest compressions while directing others to simultaneously call 9-1-1 and bring the automated external defibrillator (AED) to the scene. The ambulance arrived fairly quickly, however I believe it was my coworker’s quick administration of CPR and AED that not only saved my life but also protected me from any permanent heart or brain damage.

Currently, 4 out of 5 sudden cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital setting and less than 12 percent of victims survive the event. Effective bystander CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival, but only 41 percent of cardiac arrest victims get CPR from a bystander.

Since my cardiac arrest I am now actively volunteering for the American Heart Association and I am the CPR/AED taskforce chair in Nevada.  I have helped pass the CPR/AED bill (Nevada Assembly bill 414) that will require students in Nevada schools to learn CPR prior to graduation, as funding is available.  It’s exciting to see that this bill will allow schools to train thousands of students each year to save a life via Hands-Only CPR techniques and hopefully help save countless numbers of lives.  As CPR/AED Taskforce Chair, I hope to help guide the implementation of AB 414 to make sure schools, teachers, EMTs, and volunteers are properly prepared to train the next generation of lifesavers. 

Next legislative session we aim to secure statewide funding for AB 414 so that we can ensure that each student in Nevada will learn this life-saving skill prior to graduation.  If you are interested in volunteering to help with the implementation of AB 414 please contact Ben Schmauss.

In addition, my wife and children have volunteered with the American Heart Association and have all become certified in CPR.  Do you know Hands-Only CPR? If not, please take 1 minute to see how simple saving a life can be.  For more information, please visit here.