Back-to-school safety alert: Cardiac Emergency Response Plans can save lives in schools
August 11, 2025
American Heart Association urges South Carolina lawmakers to support the Smart Heart Act before another young life is at risk
As students across South Carolina return to school this fall, the American Heart Association is reminding school leaders, parents, and legislators that safety must go beyond locked doors and fire drills. It must also include a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) — a policy that can mean the difference between life and death.
Just ask the family of then 11-year-old Luke Barrett, a fifth grader at an elementary school in Florence, SC. Luke collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest just after coming inside from recess. Thanks to quick action by trained school staff who recognized the signs, called 911, and immediately began CPR and used an AED, Luke survived. His story is living proof that having a practiced cardiac emergency response plan in place saves lives.
Sadly, not every school is as prepared.
Research from the American Heart Association shows that more than 356,000 people in the U.S. experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year including an estimated 23,000 children under 18. In these critical moments, 90% of victims die unless someone nearby is trained and ready to act.
While many states, including South Carolina, require CPR training for high school graduation, too few require schools to have formal cardiac emergency response plans, leaving students, staff, and community members vulnerable.
Students Are at Risk
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death on school campuses. Approximately 40% of youth cardiac arrests are sports related. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or during a football game, every second counts.
Immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival, and access to AEDs in schools increases survival rates to about 70%, which is more than seven times the average for children who experience a cardiac arrest outside of a school setting.
Schools also serve as gathering places for community events, increasing the importance of having a CERP that is understood, practiced, and ready to activate even more critical.
Time to Act: Support the Smart Heart Act
As families prepare for another school year, the American Heart Association urges legislators to prioritize student safety by supporting the Smart Heart Act, legislation that would require Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in all South Carolina public schools .
“We send our children to school expecting them to be safe,” said Andrew Wylam, government relations director with the American Heart Association. “Luke is here today because his school was ready. They knew what to do, and they did it without hesitation. Every school should be just as prepared, because every child deserves the same chance to come home.”
The American Heart Association is calling on teachers, students, coaches, parents, and healthcare professionals to contact their legislators, commissioners, and school board members to urge them to support the Smart Heart Act and make kids’ heart safety a key part of our back-to-school checklist.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.HeartPowered.org.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1
