Project S.A.V.E.
A Program for Schools That Saves Lives
Pediatric sudden cardiac death happens without warning. The sudden loss of heart function affects 600 to 1,000 children and adolescents and 350,000 adults every year in the United States. In the past five school years, at least 14 students and 10 adults have died from probable sudden cardiac arrest in Georgia schools.
Fortunately. since December 2007, there have been 12 "saves" in Georgia schools-- 12 people alive today because their school personnel were prepared and had practiced their medical emergency response.
Project S.A.V.E. (Sudden Cardiac Death: Awareness, Vision for Prevention and Education) was created to educate school systems and doctors about sudden cardiac death, making them aware of the incidence, possible early warning signs and the need for a timely response.
Robert Campbell, M.D., Chief of Cardiac Services, Children's Sibley Heart Center, is the Medical Director of Project S.A.V.E. This program is affiliated with the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin's Project ADAM®, whose mission is to serve children and adolescents through education and deployment of life-saving programs that help prevent sudden cardiac death.
Log On and Learn
- Join Dr. Robert Campbell, Chief of Cardiac Services, Children's Sibley Heart Center, for a two-part webcast series on preventing pediatric sudden cardiac death. The webcasts are available for CME and GNA credit.
- Learn more about how Project S.A.V.E. is making a difference in this video from the Children's Sibley Heart Center.
School Recognition
Schools interested in implementing a program to prevent sudden cardiac death can receive onsite or phone consultation and written materials to assist with the process. This includes:
- Information about preparticipation sports physicals, awareness and CPR training
- Funding options
- Selection of an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Policy/procedure guidelines
- Practice drill plans
Georgia schools can also apply for training grants to assist with the training portion of program implementation.
Becoming a Heart-safe School
Schools in Georgia that complete the implementation checklist, indicating a quality AED program, will receive framed certificates of recognition as a Project S.A.V.E. heart-safe school. A sample public service announcement is available to help schools notify local media and increase public awareness of the school's efforts.
These schools will receive regular updates, in the form of e-newsletters, about AED funding and laws, research, recalls and training. Schools will also receive a prevention manual and a DVD for staff training. All consultation and recognition is free, due to the generous support of the Children's Miracle Network and Sibley Heart Center Cardiology.
Heart-safe schools contribute to important statewide and national research on prevention of sudden cardiac death by sending a confidential incident report to Project S.A.V.E. staff whenever an AED is used. Project S.A.V.E also will replace or reimburse the replacement of electrode pads for the AED after use.
Other Useful Links