Starting next school year, high school students in Alabama will receive expanded hands-on training in CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, as part of their health curriculum.

The new instruction comes after the Alabama State Senate passed the “Sen. Tim Melson Act.” But more than a title, the bill’s name reflects a personal story of putting life-saving training to use under the most stressful of circumstances.

Melson, a retired anesthesiologist and state Senator representing Lauderdale County and Limestone counties, was among those on a July 2023 legislative education and economic development trip to Korea and Vietnam. While visiting the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, Melson suffered cardiac arrest. Another State Senator, Arthur Orr of Decatur, sprang into action, helped get Melson on the ground and immediately began CPR.

Orr continued CPR until another person retrieved a defibrillator and a former paramedic who was part of the tour activated the device. The men worked on Melson for 30-40 minutes until local paramedics arrived. Melson spent about two weeks in a South Korean hospital and then more time in medical facilities in Alabama.

READ MORE: Alabama senators Orr, Melson file CPR, defibrillator training bill

The two men were inspired to introduce the CPR/AED bill to recognize the importance of lifesaving training. Both Melson – fully recovered and back to work – and Orr were on hand this week as Orr was honored by the Alabama Fire College in recognition of his heroic response.

“I’m sure Sen. Orr is like most people who have CPR training — he probably hoped he’d never have to use it,” Alabama Fire College Executive Director Matt Russell said. “But when an emergency happens, that important training kicks in. Knowing what to do and how to do it saves lives. Clearly, in this case, Sen. Orr’s training made all the difference in the world.”

Orr said the award, presented at Decatur Fire Station No. 5 with firefighters attending was “extremely humbling,” especially since it was given in the presence of those “who do heroic things like this everyday.”

“I believe it was divine providence, or the hand of God, in what happened that day,” Orr added.

“And I’m feeling great now,” Melson added with a laugh.

The recognition ceremony coincided with National CPR and AED Awareness Week which spotlights the importance of emergency medical training.

“Seventy-three percent of cardiac arrests occur at home and about 16% occur in public settings, so it’s important that we teach CPR,” Russell told the group at the awards ceremony. “Whether you’re at home or at your place of employment, CPR is important and has a significant impact on people’s lives.”

At Monday’s event, Jon M. Seale, CEO of Cardiac Solutions, was on hand to present two AEDs to local schools. The AEDs will be placed in schools in Orr and Melson’s districts, Seale said.

You can see more on how to perform CPR or where to take classes here.