Michigan Senate OKs CPR Training For High School Students

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan students in grades 7 to 12 would receive CPR training under a bill advancing in the Legislature.

The Senate unanimously approved legislation Tuesday to require the state Education Department to ensure by the 2017-18 academic year that health education guidelines provide for instruction in CPR and automatic external defibrillators.

A similar bill is pending on the House floor.

The American Heart Association is applauding the Senate vote. It says CPR can nearly triple survival rates for cardiac arrest by providing assistance until emergency responders arrive.

The bill sponsor, Republican Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker of Lawton, says Michigan would gain 100,000 more CPR-trained lifesavers each year.

Thirty-two states have similar laws.

Find out more about Senate Bill 647 .