New HIDOE pilot program aims to increase cardiac survival rates in Hawai‘i

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The Hawai'i State Department of Education launched a pilot program this month to introduce cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training to students and personnel across the state.

According to the Hawai'i Heart Foundation, 75% of cardiac arrests occur at home. On O'ahu there are over 1,000 cardiac arrests per year, with current survival rates averaging 10%. Bystanders perform CPR in less than 1 in 3 cardiac arrests in Hawai'i, with survival rates decreasing by about 10% every minute that no action is taken.

"Most cardiac arrests happen at home, so being able to respond to help a family member is important," Pam Foster, executive director of the Hawai'i Heart Foundation said. "Community responders are essential… if you can increase the responder rate, you can increase the survival rate."

The goal of the pilot program - which will target approximately 20,000 HIDOE 10th graders a year - is to increase survival rates by providing students with focused, hands-on CPR/AED training during their high school years so they have life-saving knowledge and skills should the need arise. While some HIDOE high schools utilize their career technical education (CTE) pathways to already implement these types of training, this pilot program will allow all HIDOE students to have access to this life saving skill.

Students at Mililani High School were the first in the state to receive the training through the pilot program this April.

"We're teaching kids how to save lives and how to advocate and share this with their friends and families," Mililani High School 10th grade health teacher Micah Turell said. "I'm really hoping that this is one of the lessons that students will be able to retain and also apply if it ever happens."

After taking the training, 10th grader Colton Shinagawa said: "Now I feel like if something happens in front of me, I'll be ready."

Waialua High and Intermediate students will also receive the training in May, amounting to nearly 20 training classes completed by the end of the school year. More HIDOE campuses are currently being planned throughout the summer and next school year.

"Hands on experience is so important to provide that authentic learning so we're really thankful to Hawai'i Heart Foundation, Hawai'i Keiki nurses, and our state legislature for helping to fund this project," Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. "When we talk about our students being globally competitive and locally committed, this is part of that local commitment, being able to have those skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others."