Sudden Cardiac Arrests Is A Growing Concern For Athletes
Many of us have children (or grandchildren) who play sports. Almost every day, we hear about, or find articles of athletes who suffered an injury or suffer Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Are their coaches or leagues equipped to handle this emergency? Have they been trained in CPR and First Aid? Do they have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) available at the field or event? Do they have an emergency response plan?
According to American Academy of Pediatrics, underlying cardiac disorders associated with pediatric and young adult SCA causes can be broken into three different categories (1) structural or functional, (2) electrical or (3) other, which may include the use of illicit drugs and stimulants, or Commotio cordis (blow to the chest). Any type of sport can have that opportunity for a sudden blow to the chest, be it baseball, softball, football, hockey, soccer, and or basketball. 
As a parent of an athlete, I spent many years at sporting events. With literally hundreds of athletes around at any given time, injuries and illnesses happened and thank goodness most of the injuries were minor in nature. Because of my prior experience, and training, I have been called many times to help an athlete who was injured.
Our local high schools do a great job with having an athletic trainer and coaches present during practices and games. The athletic trainers are trained to respond to injuries that happen on the fields. They have first aid kits, AED units and other equipment at the ready, should something happen. But what about the sporting events outside of the schools, like travel clubs or leagues. How prepared or trained are the coaches, assistant coaches, referees? Do any of the leagues or travel clubs have someone trained to handle the emergencies that occur?
Having coaches, assistant coaches, team parent, or several parents trained to assist with the injured player is so important. Having the basic training, and skills for CPR and Basic First Aid, is not going to make them an EMT or Paramedic, but it will help them to know when to move a player, when to call for EMS, and general assistance with the injured player.
Being trained, prepared, having the proper first aid kit, can make the difference. Patients who suffer SCA have an increased survivability rate when EMS is activated quickly, quality CPR is done, and when an AED unit is used within minutes of the patient collapsing. We are seeing more and more leagues purchasing AED units.
We teach CPR/AED and First Aid to many people, in different industries. The First Aid class can be tailored to different sports so that injuries can be handled appropriately. We also sell Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s). AED’s are more affordable than you think! In addition, we can help to implement an emergency response plan.
If you would like your child’s league to learn more and to be prepared in the event of an injury or SCA, we can make that happen. We are a one stop shop for all your safety needs. From first aid kits, AEDs, and supplies, to training and certification courses.
Keeping people safe through education and prevention.
SCS Safety Health & Security LLC works with businesses, non-profits, youth athletics groups, to help keep people safe, staff trained, lower workers compensation and fleet / auto insurance police premiums. In addition they help to get a company OSHA compliant, by conducting job site safety inspections, developing written safety programs, and conducting safety meetings. In addition they offer OSHA 10 and 30 hr courses, for the construction industry. If your employees, staff, and or parents need CPR/AED, Basic First Aid, and or Bloodborne Pathogen certification, they can handle that too. They offer many different services, and safety products. Please check out their website, and give them a call. Let their 20 years of experience in the safety industry work for you and your company.