New Law Protects Good Samaritans

citizen |

Gov. Quinn recently signed legislation to help protect trained individuals who provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a person having a heart attack or suffering cardiac arrest. House Bill 1549 was an initiative of the American Red Cross and American Heart Association. (Photo Credit: American Red Cross Chicago)
Gov. Quinn recently signed legislation to help protect trained individuals who provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a person having a heart attack or suffering cardiac arrest. House Bill 1549 was an initiative of the American Red Cross and American Heart Association. (Photo Credit: American Red Cross Chicago)

by Thelma Sardin

In matters of life and death, correctly performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can save a persons life. On July 18, Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation (House Bill 1549) that would allow individuals to perform CPR on heart attack and cardiac arrest victims without having to worry about liability.

More than 300,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest in the U.S. every year. According to the American Heart Association, less than 8 percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive. CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest by a trained bystander can double or triple a victims chance of survival.

Citizens who have been trained in CPR should not be reluctant to use their training to help another person in an emergency, stated Quinn in a recent press release. CPR saves lives, and we want those who are able, to step up and help their fellow citizens in a crisis without fear of a lawsuit. This law protects good Samaritans and will protect lives.

The new law is effective immediately.

MayoClinic.com defines CPR is a lifesaving procedure that keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until more definitive medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm.

According to the American Red Cross, one quarter of Americans say they have been in a situation where someone needed CPR.

Theresa Reese, Territory Aquatic Specialist and CPR Instructor for the American Red Cross recently spoke to the Citizen about the importance of CPR and more.

Reese says it is good for people to know CPR if an emergency arises.

[Its good to know CPR,] just in case if there is any type of emergency. Its very important to have a very quick response time.

In cases of heart attack and cardiac arrest each fraction of time counts. Reese says the quicker the procedure is done, a victims risk survival rate increases.

The Red Cross offers classes for CPR training and certification nationwide; however, the classes are not free and prices vary.

We offer community service classes on a regular basis. We have centers that offer these classes. It does cost and it varies in range upon what you take. We have [classes] that start around $70 and then go all the way up to $90-$95, said Reese.

The Red Cross played a significant role in getting HB 1549 signed into law, according to Reese.

The American Red Cross had a huge role in regards to getting the Good Samaritan law passed through. We had our people talking with Governor Quinn and trying to get the [law] passed ...along with doctors in the community and some other organizations.

Reese added it s important for people not to be afraid to perform CPR because of the fear of liability.

Its very important that everybody is able to and not afraid of performing these skills.

In addition, she said the law allows trained individuals to respond without hesitation in case of an emergency.

The quicker you respond to somebodyfor every minute you perform CPR you increase the level of survival by 10 percent.

The American Heart Association does not have a minimum age requirement for people to learn CPR. The organization states on its website that the ability to perform CPR is based more on body strength rather than age.

Studies have shown that children as young as 9 years old can learn and retain CPR skills.

House Bill 1549, sponsored by Rep. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) and Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D-Joilet), was an initiative of the American Red Cross and supported by the American Heart Association.

To find CPR classes in your area log on to www.redcross.org/cpr or www.heart.org/cpr

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.