California Moves Toward More CPR and AED Education in High Schools
Keeping our schools and communities prepared for emergencies is an ongoing mission, and California just took a step in that direction. On September 30, 2026, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 945 (SB 945) into law.
At its core, SB 945 asks the state’s Instructional Quality Commission to consider adding Hands-Only CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) instruction to the physical education framework for high schools the next time it is updated.
Why This Matters
Sudden cardiac arrest doesn’t wait for an adult or a medical professional to arrive. It can happen on a school field, in a gym, or in a classroom. When someone collapses, survival odds drop with every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, which means the people nearby are the ones who make the difference.
That’s exactly what happened this spring at a Roseville high school. A West Park High School sophomore collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest during band class. School staff started CPR and used an AED before paramedics arrived, and doctors say those first minutes likely saved his life. He has since recovered and returned to campus.
Under current law, high schools that require a health course for graduation already include compression-only CPR instruction. SB 945 builds on that by opening the door to bringing CPR and AED skills into PE classes as well. If the commission adopts the change, more students could graduate prepared to act, and the teens who learn these skills today become the confident, capable adult bystanders of tomorrow.
What’s Next for Schools and Educators?
The commission will decide whether and how to include this content when it next revises the framework, so the timeline isn’t set. Schools don’t have to wait to build a culture of safety. Making sure your faculty, coaching staff, and student leaders are trained in CPR and AED use is a strong first step.
When a cardiac emergency happens, readiness isn’t optional. It’s everything.
Get Your Team Prepared
Is your staff ready to respond at a critical moment? Safety Training Pros offers flexible, comprehensive group training for schools, administrative teams, and community groups across Northern California.
Contact Safety Training Pros today to schedule an on-site or blended group training session and make sure your team is ready when every second counts.