THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY GILLESPIE, BAKER, BENNINGHOFF, BOBACK, R. BROWN, CAUSER, CUTLER, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GROVE, HENNESSEY, HICKERNELL, M. K. KELLER, KILLION, KNOWLES, KOTIK, LONGIETTI, MAJOR, MARSHALL, MARSICO, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MOUL, PAYNE, ROCK, ROSS, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SONNEY, SWANGER, VEREB AND VULAKOVICH, JUNE 6, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JUNE 6, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the week of June 1 through 7, 2011, as "CPR and AED

Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Heart disease affects men, women and children of

every age and race in the United States and it continues to be

the leading cause of death in America; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 295,000 out-of-hospital cardiac

arrests are treated by emergency medical services annually

nationwide; and

WHEREAS, Roughly 92% of sudden cardiac arrest victims die

before being discharged from a hospital; and

WHEREAS, Sudden cardiac arrest results from an abnormal heart

rhythm in most adults, often ventricular fibrillation; and

WHEREAS, Unfortunately, only 32% of out-of-hospital cardiac

arrest victims receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation

(CPR); and

WHEREAS, Prompt delivery of CPR more than doubles a cardiac

arrest victim's chance of survival by helping to maintain vital

blood flow to the heart and brain, increasing the amount of time

in which an electric shock from a defibrillator may be

effective; and 

WHEREAS, An automated external defibrillator (AED), even when

used by a bystander, is safe, easy to operate and, if used

immediately after the onset of sudden cardiac arrest, highly

effective in terminating ventricular fibrillation so the heart

can resume a normal, effective rhythm; and

WHEREAS, For every minute without bystander CPR, survival

from witnessed cardiac arrest decreases by 7% to 10%; and

WHEREAS, The interval between the 911 telephone call and the

arrival of emergency medical services personnel is usually

longer than five minutes and a cardiac arrest victim's survival

is likely to depend on a public trained in CPR and AED use and

access to these lifesaving measures; and

WHEREAS, The American Heart Association, the American Red

Cross and the National Safety Council are preparing a public

awareness and training campaign on CPR and AED use to be held

during the first week of June 2011; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

week of June 1 through 7, 2011, as "CPR and AED Awareness Week"

in Pennsylvania; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the good

work of the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross

and the National Safety Council; and be it further

RESOLVED, That all Pennsylvanians be encouraged to become

properly trained in CPR and AED usage.