Kevin Major was just 19 when he died from sudden cardiac arrest during a boating accident five-plus years ago on Congamond Lake in Southwick.
A competitive hockey player — a hockey tournament is held in his Westfield hometown each year — and member of the Springfield Rifle Rugby Team, Major’s death came as a surprise to his family and friends.
It was later discovered that he had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick and makes it hard for the heart to pump blood.
His mother, Susan Canning, said the cardiac arrest could have happened anywhere. After her son’s death, she became determined to prevent similar deaths from happening.
So she teamed up with three other families that lost a loved one to sudden cardiac arrest to urge legislators to pass a bill requiring schools to install automated external defibrillators, or AEDs.
“My goal is to have an AED as common as a fire extinguisher,” Canning said.
The bill passed through Legislature earlier this month and Gov. Charlie Baker has announced he will sign it.
That means every school in the state would need to have AEDs on site by July 2018.
Automated external defibrillators are medical devices that analyze heart rhythms and can deliver electrical shocks that can help the heart reestablish an effective rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest, according to the American Red Cross, which recommends that all Americans should be within four minutes of an AED and someone trained to use it.
Under the bill, each school will also need to have a person on staff who is trained as an AED provider, and school administrators will need to ensure that an AED and provider are “readily available at any school-sponsored athletic event.”
In 2012, Canning established KEVS Foundation, based in Southampton, to spread awareness, educate and sponsor cardiovascular screenings for youth.
Since its start, the foundation has donated over 60 AEDs to schools and organizations throughout western Massachusetts, including most recently to Hampshire Regional High School. A gold plate on the AED’s case reads “In loving memory of Kevin J. Major.”
Every year, the foundation offers free heart screenings which includes an electrocardiogram, or EKG, height and weight measurements, a review of family history, blood pressure checks, and education on CPR and AED information.
While districts such as Easthampton, Northampton and Hampshire Regional have not had an incident where an AED was needed, they are prepared.
“As (Fire) Chief (Chris) Norris says, it’s always good to have a happy ending,” said Mary Phelan, health coordinator for the Hampshire Regional district.
Phelan said there are two defibrillators on both ends of the Hampshire Regional High School and the school nurse checks the defibrillators every morning to make sure the devices are charged.
The new device donated by the KEVS foundation can be easily carried around so an AED can be on-site at athletic events and practices at all times.
“You only have a few minutes,” Phelan said. “That’s why (the AED) needs to be out with the athletes.”
All coaches, physical education teachers and nurses receive AED training, Phelan said. Training is also offered throughout the school year for staff members who would like to be certified. High school students are educated as well on CPR and hands-only CPR, Phelan said.
In Easthampton, all schools have AEDs on-site, though officials would like to have more available, said Easthampton Superintendent Nancy Follansbee. Canning said the next school on her list for a donation is Easthampton High School.
Easthampton Fire Chief David Mottor said for youth hockey and football games, a firefighter is on-site with an AED. Many of the games bring a large crowd and Mottor said an AED has been used on a spectator in the past.
Kara Dupre, Northampton’s athletic director, said the athletic trainer carries can an AED, but with the new bill in place, coaches will carry the device as well.
Those who want to apply for an AED donation can visit www.kevsfoundation.com.
Selected applicants are required to perform an awareness program before or on the day of the donation such as holding a hands only CPR/AED class.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.