More West TN schools are seeking heart health designation to help save lives
LEXINGTON, Tenn. — One program is helping schools better prepare for sudden cardiac arrest.
According to Parent Heart Watch, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the number 1 cause of death on school campus.
Project Adam is a national initiative started in memory of Adam Lemel, a 17-year-old from Wisconsin, who collapsed while playing basketball and died from SCA.
Over the past 25 years, this program has saved over 200 lives nationwide by ensuring schools are equipped with AEDs and proper training to save lives.
“So, what Project Adam did from its inception was bringing awareness and training to AEDs and sudden cardiac arrest for children and young athletes in the school setting. And I think it’s very special that our elementary schools have gotten involved as well because it’s not just for the students, it’s for the staff that’s there, for visitors, and for parents,” said Jenny Strelsin, project coordinator for Project Adam: Lawon’s Legacy.
In West Tennessee, Project Adam: Lawon’s Legacy has designated 36 schools. And recently, Lexington Middle School and Caywood Elementary have become heart safe designations.
“Part of being prepared and recognized as a Project Adam school means that we have enough AEDs within our campuses, so that they can be retrieved in three minutes should an occurrence happen of sudden cardiac arrest,” said Melanie Douglas, coordinated school health director for Lexington City Schools.
Each heart safe school has a cardiac emergency response team with CPR trained members. This team can consist of coaches, IT, principals and more.
“Our goal is just to provide a safe space in the school because it may not be one of our students, it may be one of our staff members. It may be one of our parents or grandparents who come to visit the school. We just want it to be a safe space for anybody who may walk in our doors and have a medical emergency,” said Lisa Woods, school nurse at Caywood Elementary.
Heart Safe School designation showcases the school’s dedication to preparation for a cardiac emergency to the community.
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