CPR Saves Lives. That’s Why Every Student Should Know It

If someone collapsed right in front of you, what would you do?

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of serving as an ambassador for

the Harvard University Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and for Lexington

High School. During the summer, I also volunteered at Brigham and Women’s

Hospital. Although I am only a high school student, I have been reminded time

and again that in cardiac emergencies, the difference between life and death

often depends on just a few golden minutes of rescue time.

Sudden cardiac arrest is an unpredictable emergency. Every year in the

United States, there are more than 350,000 (corrected from “35,000”) cases

of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), yet the overall survival rate is only

about 10%. This means that out of 10 people who collapse, perhaps only one

will survive. Unfortunately, in emergency situations, many bystanders are left

unsure of what to do due to a lack of CPR knowledge—missing the best

window for saving a life.

Research shows that if effective CPR is administered within 3 to 5 minutes of

a cardiac arrest, survival rates can double or even triple. When CPR is

combined with the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), survival

rates can reach 50% to 70% in optimal scenarios. For children, timely

intervention not only saves lives but also greatly increases the chance of

preserving full neurological function. Every minute of delay in CPR or

defibrillation decreases the chance of survival by 7% to 10%.

Yet the reality in the U.S. is sobering—bystander CPR rates for out-of-hospital

cardiac arrests are only 32%, far lower than Denmark’s 90%. This is a number

we have the ability to change, and it is why I am calling for improving relevant

laws.

Why Should CPR Be Taught in High Schools? High school students are often

the first witnesses to cardiac arrest. Most of these emergencies occur in

homes, schools, or other non-hospital settings, and our generation is likely to

encounter such situations—on campus, at sports events, during community

activities, or even at home. Learning CPR is not just about acquiring a skill; it

is about being ready, at any time, to protect a life.

High school is a formative period for building values, responsibility, and the

willingness to act. We learn quickly, adapt easily, and are often eager to share

new skills with our families and communities, inspiring more people to join in

lifesaving efforts. CPR training can add an important layer of safety in schools

and empower students to step up in public places — shopping malls, parks,

sporting events — when every second counts. For those aspiring to careers in

medicine, education, or public safety, it can also be the first step on their

professional path.

Therefore, CPR training for high school students is not merely a practical skills

course — it is a lesson in life awareness and responsibility for an entire

generation. Unfortunately, there is still a large gap between this ideal and the

reality.

The Legislative Gap: CPR Education Still Missing in

Massachusetts

In December 2024, the U.S. President signed the Cardiomyopathy Health

Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in Schools Act of 2024

(HEARTS Act), encouraging states to implement CPR training in high

schools. The HEARTS Act’s central aim is clear: supports schools

through grants and resources for CPR/AED training, AED placement and

maintenance, and cardiac emergency response plans. However, an

important point to note is that although the HEARTS Act has been

passed, it has not yet been funded—meaning schools cannot fully

implement its goals. Securing that funding is exactly what advocates

across the nation, including myself, are now pushing for.

To date, about 40 states — plus the District of Columbia — have passed laws

requiring CPR (and, in some states, AED) training before high school

graduation. Unfortunately, Massachusetts is not among them. According to

the Boston City Council, it is one of the few states without such a requirement.

Currently, bills S.456 and H.556 are currently under review, none have

yet been enacted. As a result, many high schools still lack comprehensive

emergency response education. This means that when someone collapses,

thousands of students could be left unable to help, losing precious

opportunities to save lives.

How to Bring CPR into Every High School

To make CPR training a lasting part of high school education, it should first be

included as a graduation requirement — just like physical education or health

classes — through partnerships with EMS teams, the Red Cross, and fire

departments to ensure the training is both scientific and professional. Beyond

classroom instruction, schools can hold “Campus CPR Challenge” drills,

allowing students to practice in simulated emergencies so they can react

quickly when real situations occur.

Equipment matters as well. AED devices should be installed in key locations

throughout campus, and students must be taught how to use them so they are

more than just wall-mounted decorations. In addition, schools could form

student emergency volunteer teams composed of trained and motivated

students who serve as safety monitors during school events and are ready to

act when needed.

My Call to Action

As a high school student and EMS ambassador, I call on Massachusetts

lawmakers, educators, and community members to make CPR and AED

training a graduation requirement for all high school students in the state. I’ve

already written to state lawmakers, including State Sen. Cindy F. Friedman of

the 4th Middlesex District, and have gotten an encouraging response. This is

not just about teaching a skill—it is about protecting life.

Perhaps none of us ever wants to use these skills. But when the unexpected

happens, knowing how to respond can mean someone keeps breathing, and

a family is spared the heartbreak of losing a loved one.

Let us work together to ensure that more young people become “guardians of

life” in critical moments, turning those precious four minutes into a lifetime.

This column was updated with several corrections, including the following:

• Every year in the United States, there are more than 350,000 (corrected from “35,000”) cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), yet the overall survival rate is only about 10%. 

• Research shows that if effective CPR is administered within 4 to 6 minutes of a cardiac arrest, survival rates can double or even triple. When CPR is combined with the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) within 3-5 minutes, survival rates can reach 50% to 70% in optimal scenarios. For children, timely intervention not only saves lives but also greatly increases the chance of preserving full neurological function. Every minute of delay in CPR or defibrillation decreases the chance of survival by 7% to 10%. 

• To date, about 40 states — plus the District of Columbia — have passed laws requiring CPR (and, in some states, AED) training before high school graduation. Unfortunately, Massachusetts is not among them. According to the Boston City Council, it is one of the few states without such a requirement. Currently, bills S.456 and H.556 are currently under review, none have yet been enacted.