Frisco ISD stresses AED/CPR teaching

The latest incident happened May 29. Gopal Sood, a parent at Fowler Middle School, collapsed during an academic awards ceremony of an apparent heart attack.

In each case, an AED was used by FISD staff members or parents on scene to save the person's life.

Although the district has had two AEDs on each campus since before the state began requiring them, Shea's 2011 incident sparked FISD to develop a physical education curriculum focused on health, nutrition and first aid, said Misty Stevens, a physical education teacher and coach at Fowler Middle School

The curriculum was written by the American Heart Association and Maus Middle School coaches Brent Reese and Kristin Goodgion.

The district began teaching the two-week course in the 2012–13 school year, which focuses on hands-only CPR; how to use an AED; first aid; heart attack and stroke information as well as healthy lifestyle choices, Stevens said.

All sixth-grade students at every FISD middle school receive the training and students and teachers learn where AEDs are located—generally one is located outside a gymnasium and the other in the front entrance near the fine arts wing.

"Students are completely engaged when learning how to perform hands-only CPR on the Mini-Anne manikins," Stevens said. "We simulate real-life situations where they become the heart hero and save someone's life. Students understand the importance of learning CPR and how to use the AED machine, and take the lessons very seriously."

Stevens said in Good's case, she was proud of the FMS staff and parents.

"As coaches, we are certified in CPR/AED use every two years, but to see that in action—without hesitation—is impressive," she said.

Stevens said the FMS staff likes to say they passed out almost 500 awards and saved a life—all in about an hour.

Superintendent Jeremy Lyon said FISD supports the American Heart Association.

"We are all in, and these amazing stories are very impactful," he said. "I think it is up to about three lives that have been saved because of this equipment in our schools. But it is not just the equipment, but the wherewithal of staff members to go into action. That's really what the American Heart Association trains, is don't freeze up—respond, go into action."