Alaska State Legislature House and Senate Democrats

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Olson’s Good Samaritan Law Gets Governor’s Nod
Putting Alaska First · Moving Alaska Forward

ANCHORAGE – Senate Bill 160 by Senator Donald Olson (D-Nome) is scheduled for signing tomorrow afternoon at the Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks. The American Heart Association will be in attendance. SB 160 extends the Good Samaritan immunity for providers of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and encourages communities to increase their availability. The bill enjoyed wide support in both the House and Senate.

Senator Olson, a doctor, introduced this legislation to encourage faster treatment to Alaskans who suffer a cardiac arrest. “Each year, 250,000 people die in the United States as a result of sudden cardiac arrest,” said Olson. “For each minute a person remains in cardiac arrest, their chance of survival decreases by approximately 7 to 10 percent.”

Businesses and municipalities across the country are interested in making AEDs more accessible to increase peoples’ chance of survival, noted Olson.

“AEDs have evolved significantly over the past years. The current generation of devices is much safer and easier to use, they have the ability to discern between shockable and nonshockable rhythms – it is literally impossible to shock a person who does not require it.”

With SB 160 as law, businesses, cities, fire departments, and other organizations are encouraged to apply to the Rural AED Grant Program for the purchase and placement of AEDs in their communities. These federal Health & Social Services Department grants include the purchase, placement and training in the use of AEDs. All of Alaska is considered rural under this program with the exception of the Municipality of Anchorage.

“This is a big step toward making Alaska a safer and healthier place,” said Olson.

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