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Defibrillator funding bill named for Chickasaw boy signed into Oklahoma law
 Luke Davis
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Contributed by Dana Hudspeth, Tribal Media Relations
A bill urging federal funding or private donations for devices that could save a student’s life in a medical emergency was signed into law by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry last month.
The Zachary Eckles and Luke Davis Automated External Defibrillators in Schools Act was signed into law April 11 by Gov. Henry.
Luke David, a 12-year-old Chickasaw student from Dickson, Okla., collapsed after his heart stopped during a basketball game. He later died.
The new law mandates that automated external defibrillators be made available at schools, if funding is available. It also authorizes school districts to make automated external defibrillators available at high school athletic practices and competitions.
Representative Doug Cox, (R-Grove), one of the bill’s co-authors, said an irregular heart beat is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death, especially among young people during physical activities such as athletics.
Rep. Cox, an emergency room physician, said seconds really matter in these situations.
“I know of both athletes and referees who have been saved by a defibrillator at athletic events,” he said.
Defibrillators are easy to use and training on the machines is now part of basic CPR training.
Luke’s family contends an automated external defibrillator at the school could have saved his life. Since his death earlier this year, the family has pushed for legislation requiring the machines in schools.
A large contingent of Luke’s friends and family traveled to the state capitol recently to support the measure.
The law becomes effective July 1, 2008.
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