NAYS and Simon's Heart Release Free Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training

1/27/2020

The National Alliance for Youth Sports has added a new Sudden Cardiac Arrest training course to its selection of online offerings available at www.nays.org.

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

Sudden cardiac arrest is the number one killer of student athletes. The online course educates coaches and parents about the warning signs, symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest and how to handle a medical emergency if an athlete collapses.

“The statistics surrounding sudden cardiac arrest are stunning,” says 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,” says 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.”

Recently, the state of California enacted a law AB 379 “Youth athletics: concussion and sudden cardiac arrest prevention protocols” which includes a requirement for  coaches to complete a sudden cardiac arrest prevention education program. NAYS Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training addresses all required topics of the law, which are:

(A) Cardiac conditions and their potential consequences.

(B) The signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest.

(C) Best practices for removal of an athlete from an athletic activity after fainting or a suspected cardiac condition is observed.

(D) Steps for returning an athlete to an athletic activity after the athlete faints or experiences a cardiac condition.

(E) What to do in the event of a cardiac emergency: this shall include calling 911, performing hands-only CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) if it is available.

Participants who complete the 15-minute Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training will receive a certificate of completion. NAYS Coaches may add the free Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training by logging in to their member account. Non-members may also register at no cost through nays.org.

NAYS Member Organizations can easily check if their coaches have completed the Sudden Cardiac Arrest training by logging in to their NAYS account.

Find out more at nays.org/resources/more/sudden-cardiac-arrest/.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Simon's Heart

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