RESOLUTION No. 36402

Urge and promote school districts to install automated external defibrillators in public schools to hopefully reduce the public risk of deaths caused by sudden cardiac arrest (Resolution)

WHEREAS,  heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; and

WHEREAS,  the American heart Association estimates that more than 50,000 deaths could be prevented each year if defibrillators were more widely available to designated responders; and

WHEREAS,  automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been shown to increase chances of survival in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, a victim’s chance of survival drops 10 percent for every minute that passes before his or her heart is returned to normal rhythm; and

WHEREAS,  lifesaving technology, the automated external defibrillator, has been developed to allow trained lay rescuers to respond to cardiac arrest by using this simple device to shock the heart into normal rhythm; and

WHEREAS,  public schools sponsor athletic activities in which participants are at risk of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest; and

WHEREAS,  sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes is reported approximately 12 to 20 times nationwide per year. The median age of athletes who die suddenly is 17 years, only 3 percent of athletes who experience sudden cardiac arrest were suspected to have underlying cardiovascular disease before the arrest. Most deaths occurs among basketball and football players during or immediately after a training session or formal athletic contest between 3pm and 9pm; and

WHEREAS,  there might be opportunities to obtain AEDs by way of donation or cooperation with organizations interested in promoting public health; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, to promote the safety and health of Portland’s citizens, the Portland City Council urges school districts with facilities inside the City to install AEDs in appropriate locations.

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 533-2006

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 36402