IntroductionBasic life support (BLS) is a skill that many people in the community lack. Nearly 400,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year (American Heart Association, 2012), and of these, 89% of people die because immediate bystander CPR was not performed (American Heart Association, 2012). In the communities of Contra Costa County, California, several towns have experienced tragedies of teenagers dying due to sudden cardiac death and lack of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or defibrillator use. In December 2009, 15-year-old Dairus Jones of Pittsburgh High School died after going into sudden cardiac arrest on the basketball court (Darius Jones Foundation, 2011), and in January 2010, 15-year-old Calvary Christian Academy student Joshua Ellison of El Sobrante, died after collapsing during a basketball game (Contra Costa Times, 2010). ProblemDespite the fact that from May 2009 to February 2010, in Contra Costa County alone, 9 sudden cardiac arrests occurred among children and youth, there is no standard curriculum at school for youth and their parents to learn life-saving CPR techniques. The youngest was 10 years old and the oldest was 17, resulting in 4 deaths and 5 lives saved (Darius Jones Foundation, 2011). In each case, a direct correlation was found between bystander use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and surviving children. The American Heart Association provides sufficient evidence for the need for change by recognizing that sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death (2012). These deaths affect both adult and child victims. Statistics also show that 70% of people feel helpless during a cardia...... middle of paper ......ng cause of death. In Contra Costa County, 9 sudden cardiac arrests occurred in children from 2009-2010. Youth survival and death rates were a direct correlation with the use of CPR. Several factors are related to bystander reluctance to perform CPR on victims. These factors contribute to the death of 89% of victims. The proposed change bill will introduce CPR training in Contra Costa County schools. By educating teachers, students and parents about the benefits of performing CPR and providing basic CPR training tools, the 70% of people who feel helpless during a cardiac emergency will decrease. Using social media tools, such as YouTube, allows a larger population to receive an education. Overall, by allowing the project in schools, the number of people who are afraid and/or unwilling to perform CPR will increase, thus improving their chances of survival.