Part 3: Is Your Child Safe? Sudden Cardiac Death
- Dr. Steven Horwitz
- May 19, 2016
- 1 min read
"I'll always regret that Kelli and I relied on chance and luck when we signed up our son for football, and I'm going to tell you that way doesn't work."
Frank Cutinella, father of Tom Cutinella, a high school football player who died after a helmet to helmet hit.
When reading the article, please keep this statement by Dr. Doug Casa of the Korey Stringer Institute in mind,
"Nearly all of the causes of death in sport are influenced by the care [provided] in the first five to seven minutes." (Ref)
Sudden Cardiac Death
The disconnect continues with regard to Sudden Cardiac Death. The National Institute of Health states that rapid treatment of sudden cardiac arrest with an AED "can be lifesaving." (Ref)
Yet, just “19 states in the U.S. require that at least some of their schools have automated external defibrillators.” (Ref)
The two most important interventions for improving the outcome of patients who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are timely defibrillation and the administration of high-quality chest compressions (Ref).
At least some schools systems are attempting to educate coaches with biannual CPR certification and a CDC concussion video. This is certainly better than nothing. But, is that training even close to enough to prepare that coach for an on the field emergency? Or to recognize an injury on the sidelines? The NATA says it is not.
Did your school system or league require you to complete this form for your child? If not, why not?
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