Janet's Law, if passed, will help save lives

Published: Saturday, June 04, 2011, 9:43 AM
By Letters to the Editor/Hunterdon County Democrat

To the Editor:

On April 5, I was involved in the lifesaving efforts of a 16-year-old girl who suddenly collapsed during cheerleading tryouts at North Hunterdon High School.

She was a victim of SCA (sudden cardiac arrest). Because there was an AED close by and the coaches, patrolman and I were all trained in CPR, her life was saved that day. She was one of the lucky ones.

Sudden cardiac arrest in youth is not a rare occurrence. It happens to thousands of kids each year, at sporting events and in classrooms.

AED/CPR Awareness Week is June 1-7. It is critical that our community recognizes the importance of having AEDs available everywhere that youth congregate and that we encourage AED/CPR training and have an emergency plan should someone collapse due to SCA.

A group in New Jersey that is trying to stop these tragic instances is the Janet Fund. They have been pushing for the passage of Janet’s Law for over four years. Janet’s Law would make it mandatory that an AED be available at all schools and that every school has trained responders and an emergency action plan. The law also recommends that an AED be at all playing fields and camps.
When a child has a sudden cardiac arrest, there is a critical 3-5 minute window for that child to be saved. Know the chain of survival:

- Early recognition of SCA, which may include any of the following: collapsed and unresponsive, gasping, gurgling, seizure-like activity
- Early access to 9-1-1
- Begin CPR immediately
- Retrieve and begin use of an AED immediately
- Early advanced care from first responders.

As a parent who has saved a child from SCA, I urge you to contact your state representatives and ask them to support Janet’s Law.
Visit online thejanetfund.org. It is our responsibility as a community to shed light on SCA in youth — and save lives.

KELLY A. STRAUSS
Clinton Township