Scott Sells still feels the echo of a soccer field in Macon where his 19‑year‑old son, Mason, collapsed during a game at Mercer University. The sudden cardiac arrest that claimed Mason’s life left the father searching for a way to ensure that no other family has to wait for help that never arrives.
A Father’s Advocacy
In response, Sells has been lobbying for what he calls the “Mason Sells AED Coordination Act,” a bill that would require every automated external defibrillator to be registered with 911 dispatchers and that operators receive training on how to guide by‑standers through CPR and AED use.
The legislation builds on a 2024 state mandate that already obliges K‑12 schools to keep at least one AED on site and to appoint a maintainer, but it expands the scope to colleges, community fields and any venue where children compete.
Legislative Response
Two other Macon‑area college students died of sudden cardiac arrest before Mason, underscoring a pattern that Sells says cannot be ignored. Their deaths, along with his son’s, spurred Senator Marty Harbin to introduce Senate Bill 399, which would formalize the training requirements for 911 operators by the end of next year.
Harbin, a Republican from Tyrone, said he was moved by Sells’ story and wanted to turn personal grief into public policy. The bill also calls for a statewide registry of AEDs, ensuring that emergency responders can locate the devices quickly.
A Broader Vision
Beyond the Capitol, Sells has already trained about 100 members of a homeowners association in CPR and AED use, and he continues to acquire devices for underserved neighborhoods. He urges parents to verify that the fields where their children play are equipped with ready‑to‑use defibrillators.
The ripple of his advocacy reaches beyond Georgia. Mason’s younger sister is now a rising junior at Auburn University, and the family’s story has been amplified by partners such as the American Heart Association, which has long championed public access to life‑saving equipment.
If the bill passes, Georgia would join a growing list of states that treat AED readiness as a public safety imperative, potentially setting a template for other regions to follow.