Protect Your Athletes from Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac Emergency Response Planning for Youth Sports Teams

The Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation supports California state law for community youth sports teams to have a cardiac emergency response plan with access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) to protect young hearts. We encourage youth sports communities to create a culture of prevention by using our free Keep Their Heart In the Game toolkit to comply with the Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act:

  • By January 1, 2028, athletes have access to an AED during any practice or match
  • By January 1, 2027, coaches are CPR/AED certified
  • By January 1, 2027, teams have a written cardiac emergency response plan that includes:
    – the location of any AEDs and procedures to be followed in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest
    – the responsibilities of coach, administration and athletes during the event
    – how coach, administration and athletes will be notified and trained on the emergency response plan
    – an electronic communication to parents or guardians of enrolled players to share location of AED/s and response plan

Up to 23,000 youth are lost each year to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), the leading cause of death on a school campus and the #1 killer of student athletes. Once SCA strikes, the survival rate is less than 10%. A coordinated and well-practiced response to a cardiac emergency by people who witness the SCA can increase survival up to 70%. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are a critical component of this emergency response. A study published in Sports Health showed if an on-site AED was used in the resuscitation, 89% of athletes survived.

Cardiac Emergency Response Plan Toolkit

  • Checklist to prepare and drill the plan
  • Responsibilities for AED ownership
  • AED maintenance
  • AED drill set up and evaluation worksheet
  • Communication messages
  • Sudden cardiac arrest prevention videos and resources
  • Tips for purchasing AEDs or acquiring access to existing AEDs
Get Toolkit

Frequently Asked Questions

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. SCA usually causes death if not treated in minutes by calling 911, starting hands-only CPR and using an AED.

No. A heart attack is caused by clogged or narrowed heart arteries that prevent the flow of blood. SCA is caused by an abnormality in the heart that causes the heart to stop beating and the victim to stop breathing. People who have heart attacks may become victims of SCA, but people of all ages—including kids and teenagers—can be victims of SCA.

SCA is caused by an electrical or structural abnormality you’re born with, and could’ve inherited, or develops as you grow. The abnormality caused an irregular beat that causes the heart to stop. SCA can also be caused by a sharp blow to the chest (commotio cordis) at a certain interval in the heart beat that causes the heart to stop beating.

An automatic external defibrillator (AED) is a device that can be used by anyone to deliver a shock (defibrillate) to someone who’s heart has stopped. 

No. AEDs were designed for the general public to use. It has simple audio/visual instructions that guide users through the process. The device decides if a shock must be delivered, therefore, you can’t mistakenly hurt someone with an AED.

Early defibrillation with an AED is the only treatment for SCA. According to the American Heart Association, each minute of delay in delivering a defibrillation shock to a cardiac arrest victim reduces the chance of survival by 10%. 

While our country has a great emergency response system, average arrival time for EMS to the scene is 6–12 minutes, while emergency intervention for an SCA victim must start within the first minutes of collapse. Studies show that even when EMS arrive within 2 minutes of calling 911, the 30-day survival rate of SCA victims increases when an onsite AED was used immediately.

Any person who, in good faith and not for compensation, renders emergency care or treatment by the use of an AED at the scene of an emergency is not liable for any civil damages resulting from any acts or omissions in rendering the emergency care.

  • Instructions for AED use should be posted in 14-point type with the device.  
  • Organization principals possessing the AED must notify members of the organization of the AED’s location.
  • AEDs must be maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications and tested at after the AED is deployed in a cardiac emergency.

Isabelle Owens • August 17, 2009 – May 20, 2023

This program is dedicated to all youth lost to sudden cardiac arrest, including Isabelle Owens, a 13-year-old athlete who though effortlessly played soccer her entire life, collapsed during a game on a remote North County San Diego field in May 2023. An AED was not present, the park facility with an AED was locked, and a connection to 911 was difficult due to a weak signal. Though bystanders performed CPR for 25 minutes while awaiting an ambulance, Isabelle was lost.

Testimonials

“After working with Keep Their Heart in the Game, I can’t imagine running our summer tournaments without a cardiac emergency response plan in place.  The peace of mind knowing that we are prepared to respond in an emergency has been well worth the work on the back end incorporating this into our standard tournament preparation process.”

—Craig Bedford, Tournament Director, City SC

California Law

California’s Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act states by 2028 an AED must be accessible to young athletes during both practice and games with a cardiac emergency response plan and coach CPR/AED training in place by 2027.