2011 Senate Joint Resolution 35
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: declaring June 1 to 7, 2011, as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator Awareness Week.
Whereas, heart disease affects men, women, and children of every age and race in the United States and continues to be the leading cause of death in America; and
Whereas, approximately 295,000 emergency medical services-treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually nationwide; and
Whereas, roughly 92 percent 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, only 32 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and
Whereas, prompt delivery of CPR more than doubles the 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 seven to ten percent; and
Whereas, the interval between the 911 telephone call and the arrival of emergency medical services personnel is usually longer than five minutes, so 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; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature proclaims June 1 to 7, 2011, as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator Awareness Week; and, be it further
Resolved, That the legislature commends the good work of the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and the National Safety Council and encourages all Americans to become properly trained in CPR and AED usage.
