1Designating the month of October 2013 as "Sudden Cardiac Arrest
2Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in
4the United States, accounting for an estimated 360,000 deaths
5each year according to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation; and

6WHEREAS, The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, a nonprofit
7organization, was created specifically to raise awareness about
8sudden cardiac arrest in this Commonwealth and the nation; and

9WHEREAS, Anyone can experience sudden cardiac arrest,
10including infants, high school athletes and people 30 years of
11age and older who have no sign of heart disease; and

12WHEREAS, Sudden cardiac arrest is extremely deadly, with the
13National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute giving the disease a
14mortality rate of approximately 95%; and

15WHEREAS, The American Heart Association states that to have a
16chance of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest, victims must
17receive a lifesaving defibrillation within the first four to six

1minutes of the attack; and

2WHEREAS, For every minute that passes without a shock from an
3automated external defibrillator, the chance of survival
4decreases by approximately 10%; and

5WHEREAS, Lifesaving treatments for sudden cardiac arrest are
6effective if administered in time; and

7WHEREAS, According to the American Heart Association,
8cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation with an
9automated external defibrillator more than double the chances
10that a victim will survive; and

11WHEREAS, There is a need for comprehensive educational
12efforts designed to increase awareness of sudden cardiac arrest
13among medical professionals and the greater public in order to
14promote early detection and proper treatment of this disease and
15to improve quality of life; therefore be it

16RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of October 2013
17as "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to
18increase awareness and prompt treatment of sudden cardiac
19arrest.