Survivor's plea to Congress: Fund lifesaving HEARTS Act before more lives are lost

Every year, more than 350,000 Americans suffer cardiac arrest outside hospitals—including over 23,000 children. Survival often depends on the first few minutes of response. Now, a lifeguard who survived his own heart attack is urging Congress to act before it’s too late. In 2024, Congress passed the HEARTS Act, a law designed to equip schools with automated external defibrillators (AEDs), CPR training, and emergency response plans. But without full funding, its impact remains limited. Schools with AEDs already see a stark difference: around 70% of children survive cardiac arrest there, compared to just 10% nationally.

The push for funding comes as CPR and AED Awareness Week coincides with Congress’s budget decisions. A 25-year veteran lifeguard from Ocean Safety in Honolulu knows firsthand how critical these tools are. While swimming, he suffered a heart attack—quick CPR and an AED from bystanders saved his life. Determined to prevent others from facing the same fate, he travelled to Washington, D.C. to share his story with lawmakers. His message was clear: fully funding the HEARTS Act could mean the difference between life and death for thousands.

The HEARTS Act stands ready to improve survival rates, but its success hinges on Congress allocating the necessary funds. With proper resources, more schools could train staff, install AEDs, and prepare for emergencies—potentially saving thousands of lives each year.