Nearly 424,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals every year and less than 11 percent survive.

I am a high school senior and a potential life-saver. If I graduate with just 30 minutes of hands-on CPR training, I have the ability to respond in an emergency and potentially save a life.

Cardiac arrest can happen at any time, to anyone. Given right away, CPR doubles or triples a person’s chance of survival. That’s a chance I’m willing to take and something I want to be prepared for.

In less than 30 minutes, I can learn what it takes to save a life. Do the right thing and pass legislation that requires all Louisiana high school seniors to graduate, knowing CPR.

I support the American Heart Association’s efforts to require hands-on CPR training for all graduating seniors.

Katie Spears

high school senior

Baton Rouge