Explanation
Title
To recognize the team of heroes who performed CPR and used an AED to save the life of Ted Barclay, and whose lifesaving efforts are encouraging more AED placement and CPR/AED training throughout the Central Ohio community.
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council initiated Project Second Chance, a public education and outreach effort started in 2003 to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and the value of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED) in saving lives, and has led efforts to increase the number of Columbus citizens and City employees trained in CPR and AED use and expand the quantity of AEDs located and registered throughout the Central Ohio region; and
WHEREAS, the efforts of Project Second Chance have been recognized by the Columbus Public Schools, which have AEDs in all of their high schools and middle schools and most of their elementary schools, and suburban school districts who teach Columbus students, including the approximately 48% of students who attend Hilliard Davidson High School and also reside in the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, on Wednesday April 5th during a Hilliard Davidson vs. Thomas Worthington High School Varsity lacrosse match, referee Ted Barclay experienced a Sudden Cardiac Arrest on the Hilliard Davidson stadium field and bystanders, who reacted immediately, administered CPR and retrieved an AED located in the main high school building; and
WHEREAS, the quick thinking and swift action of all involved, utilizing the electric shock of the AED twice, saved Mr. Barclay's life and set him on a path to a full recovery; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barclay's story unfortunately continues to be rare, as 94% of sudden cardiac arrest victims in Columbus die because CPR and defibrillation occur too late, making sudden cardiac arrest a leading cause of death in this country, claiming the lives of at least 1,000 people every day; and
WHEREAS, the story of these lifesaving heroes have led to renewed efforts in the Hilliard City School District to increase the number of AEDs at athletic facilities and encourage more AED placement and CPR/AED training in businesses, health clubs, and public areas throughout the Central Ohio community, knowing that sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize and commend the lifesaving efforts of those who performed CPR/AED in this sudden cardiac emergency situation, and subsequently celebrate the life of Ted Barclay as well as the education and outreach efforts of his story to increase the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest in Columbus.