Honolulu lifeguard fights for HEARTS Act funding after surviving heart attack

A 25-year veteran lifeguard from Honolulu has called on Congress to fund the newly passed HEARTS Act. The law, signed in December 2024, aims to improve survival rates for cardiac arrests in schools. The lifeguard, who survived a heart attack at 54, shared their story in Washington, D.C. to push for action. Every year, more than 350,000 Americans suffer cardiac arrest outside hospitals, including over 23,000 children. Survival often depends on the first few minutes of response. Schools with AEDs see around 70% of children survive, far above the national average of 10%.

The HEARTS Act was passed in 2024 to help schools buy AEDs, train staff in CPR, and create emergency plans. The lifeguard, who owed their survival to quick CPR and AED use, travelled to Washington to urge funding through the Labor-HHS budget. Their visit coincided with CPR and AED Awareness Week, held annually in early June.

The HEARTS Act is now law, but funding must be secured to put its measures in place. Schools with AEDs and trained staff already show far higher survival rates. The lifeguard’s push for action could help save thousands of lives each year.