State Representative Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) and Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R - Appleton) introduced a bill placing anti-choking devices in schools.
The Bruegmann Family of Fennimore knows all too well the dangers posed by choking. In 2016, Courtney and Matt Bruegmann lost their son, Camynn, to a choking incident. Classic life saving techniques did not help their child. Since the incident, they have been passionately supporting the placement of anti-choking devices throughout schools to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
“The best, common sense solutions come from friends, neighbors, and families,” Rep Tranel said. “This idea was developed by Courtney and Matt Bruegmann, and I am proud they are advocating on behalf of this policy change to make Wisconsin schools safer, especially rural schools who oftentimes have part-time or shared school nurses.”
Under current law, every public school board and every private school governing body are required to provide a standard first-aid kit for use in cases of emergency. This bill requires the 3,146 public and private schools to make accessible, as part of a first aid kit, an anti-choking device that is registered as a Class I or Class II medical device with the United States Food and Drug Administration.
“There is an opportunity for individuals trained in life saving techniques and properly equipped with a last resort anti-choking device to intervene before EMS arrival,” said Sen. Cabral Guevara. “Recognizing that you are the help until help arrives may be lifesaving since prolonged low oxygen can kill brain cells, lead to brain damage, and death.”
Typically these devices, costing less than $100 apiece, are used as a last resort after recommended Red Cross choking guidelines have been applied. The bill also requires school boards and the governing bodies of private schools to annually provide training on the use the devices according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
This bill currently being circulated for co-sponsorship throughout the legislature.
Courtney and Matt Bruegmann and their family ask for support on this bill by contacting your elected state officials and urge them to support this legislation.
Additionally, Toni Labbate, founder of Equal First Aid, a non-profit, advocate group for people who are disabled or who are in a wheelchair during a choking emergency, who has been working with the Bruegmann Family in getting this bill introduced also urges for public support on this bill.
Labbate stated that the introduction of this bill is “just the beginning,” and “much more public support is needed for this bill to be pushed through and passed.”
A “letter of support” can be signed on their website at equalfirstaid.org.
