On May 24th, New Prairie High School was awarded the 1st Heart Safe School designation in Indiana. This project, led by teacher & HOSA-Future Health Professionals Tonya Aerts, is the first designation by Project Adam affiliate Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Dr. Adam Kean and program associate Jeff Utzinger, both from Indianapolis, were on hand for the final step of the application process, a mock cardiac emergency drill during a passing period. In addition, local first responders (LP Fire, LPC Sheriff, SJC Sheriff, LPC EMS), Sen. Bohacek, Rep. Pressel, Zoll Public Safety representatives, Miss South Bend, and family members of Mark Mayfield (NP), Jake West (LP), and Zac Mago (JG) attended and were supportive of the event.
Project Adam is a national program established in 1999 by parents who lost their child to sudden cardiac arrest at a basketball game. The program involves creating affiliate hospitals throughout the country who work with schools and community programs to establish heart safe environments.
To be recognized as a heart safe school, New Prairie High School met specific requirements that included (but not limited to) developing a cardiac emergency response plan, establish highly visible, functioning AEDs that can be obtained within 2-3 minutes from any point on campus, cardiac emergency response drills with both students and staff, and additional safety requirements that create a rescue ready environment inside the school and throughout the campus. Mrs. Aerts states that although this designation is a major accomplishment for their school, it is only the beginning. "We know how to respond to a fire, tornado, and active shooter, but we do not talk about what to do in the event of a cardiac emergency. Sudden cardiac arrest is the #1 cause of death of student athletes on a school campus and can happen to anyone at any time. It is a simple fact that an AED, along with immediate and effective CPR can save a life. I am determined to create a rescue ready environment throughout NPUSC and help other schools/groups achieve the same preparedness."
Aerts also states that the death of 3 local students motivates her to do more for the community. "Jake, Mark and Zac are 3 names that I think about all the time and their names and faces keep me focused."
To learn more about becoming a heart safe school, follow New Prairie HOSA on Facebook at New Prairie HOSA or on Instagram at npusc-hosa. You can also contact Tonya Aerts directly at taerts@npusc.k12.in.us