Feature Story

March 2020

NAYS Offers Free Training on Sudden Cardiac Arrest

By Joe Bush

Last summer, the state of California enacted a law named "Youth Athletics: Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Protocols." The law includes a mandatory education program for coaches to learn how to deal with sudden cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest is the No. 1 killer of student athletes, and the National Association of Youth Sports (NAYS) is offering a free 15-minute online class called "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training" that addresses all of the law's required topics.

The course teaches coaches and parents about the warning signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest and how to handle a medical emergency if an athlete collapses.

Also covered:

• Cardiac conditions and their potential consequences.
• The signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest.
• Best practices for removing an athlete from an activity after fainting or a suspected cardiac condition is detected.
• A process for returning an athlete to an activity after the athlete faints or has a cardiac condition.
• What to do in the event of a cardiac emergency. This includes calling 911, following hands-only CPR method and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available.

Coaches who take the class get a certificate of completion. NAYS coaches can add the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training by logging into their member account. Non-members may also register for free through nays.org. NAYS Member Organizations can check to see if their coaches have taken the Sudden Cardiac Arrest training by logging in to their NAYS account.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training was developed in collaboration with Simon's Heart, a nonprofit organization raising awareness about conditions that lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death in children.

"The statistics surrounding sudden cardiac arrest are stunning," said Kate Nematollahi, director of education programs for NAYS. "Knowing the warning signs and having access to an AED can save a child's life. By offering this free training, NAYS is proud to play a part in bringing this critical safety information to coaches and parents."

"We couldn't be happier to be working with the National Alliance for Youth Sports," added Darren Sudman, founder of Simon's Heart. "Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death of student athletes in this country. We have the educational content. NAYS has the athletes, parents and coaches. We both want to protect the kids. It is a perfect partnership."