'Damar's Law': PA Could Require Defibrillators At School Sports Events

HARRISBURG, PA — After Buffalo Bills safety and Pittsburgh native Damar Hamlin recently suffered cardiac arrest during a football game, a state legislator wants defibrillation devices available at all school district sporting events.

A bill about to be introduced by state Sen. Marty Flynn of Lackawanna County also would require all coaches to complete training on the proper use of the devices.

"My legislation aims to recognize and address the increased risks of sudden cardiac arrest amongst student athletes by requiring that a device be present at any sporting event hosted by a school district," Flynn stated in a memo to colleagues.

"Additionally, all coaches would be required to complete training on their proper use. These requirements would ensure that the most critical component to increasing survivability after sudden cardiac arrest is addressed: time."

Hamlin, a Central Catholic High School graduate and former University of Pittsburgh star, nearly died after suffering cardiac arrest during a recent game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hamlin had recovered enough to attend the Bills playoff game in Buffalo on Sunday, but the team fell to the Bengals 27-10.

Hamlin's NFL future is uncertain as he continues his recovery.

Flynn noted in his memo that according to the American Heart Association, “the single greatest determinant of survival after sudden cardiac arrest is the time frame collapse to defibrillation, with survival rates declining 7 percent to 10 percent per minute with every minute that defibrillation is delayed.”

To become law, Flynn's bill would have to be approved by the Senate and the state House, then authorized by Gov. Josh Shapiro.