Karen Acompora Lobbies Albany for CPR in Schools

Karen Acompora was in Albany on Wednesday lobbying alongside the American Heart Association and volunteers from across the state for the CPR in Schools bill.  

The CPR in Schools bill would let every student in the state of New York learn CPR before graduating from high school. It now goes to the Senate Finance
Committee after being passed by the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday.

Acompora has worked tirelessly since her died of commotio cardis, a rare occurrence of a heart stopping after the victim is struck in the chest, in 2000. His life may have been saved had there been an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) available, and Karen has since ensured the placement of AEDs in public places with the passage of “Louis’ Law.”

“Training the next generation of life savers who know how to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency should be a top priority in our school districts,” Acompora said. “With faster response times to a cardiac emergency, we actually have the ability to reduce the number of sudden cardiac deaths in our nation.”

Hands-Only CPR is effective bystander CPR. Kits are available to schools for less than $28, and Hands-Only CPR can be taught in one or two class periods.

The CPR in Schools bill is sponsored by Harvey Weisenberg, D-Long Beach, and Sen. James Alesi, R-East Rochester. To date, 30 Senators and 50 Assembly members have signed as sponsors.