Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act
In April 2015, Tennessee passed the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act to increase awareness of sudden cardiac arrest among coaches, parents and athletes.
The legislation, Public Chapter 325, has three key components:
· To inform and educate coaches, youth athletes and their parents and require them to sign a sudden cardiac arrest information form before competing.
· To require removal of a youth athlete who appears to have symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest from play or practice at the time of symptoms.
· To require a youth athlete to be cleared by a licensed health care professional before returning to play or practice.
Both public and private school sports and recreational leagues for children under age 18 that require a fee are affected by the new law. The law covers all sports. This website contains all the resources coaches, youth athletes and parents need to fulfill the intent of the law.
Below you will find links for the required forms, trainings and guidelines that will equip coaches, parents and athletes to recognize and respond to sudden cardiac arrest.
Parent-Athlete Signature Form
Parent-Athlete Signature Form - Spanish Version
Coaches/Athletic Director Signature Form
Coaches and Athletic Directors Signature Form - Spanish Version
Training Resources
National Federation of State High School Associations Elective Course - Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Project ADAM: https://www.childrenshospitalvanderbilt.org/program/project-adam-middle-tennessee
Other Resources
Link to Release Form for Return to Play
Simon’s Fund http://www.simonsfund.org
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation http://www.sca-aware.org/
American Heart Association (Athlete Preparticipation Screening Guidelines) http://my.americanheart.org/professional/StatementsGuidelines/ByTopic/TopicsA-C/Athletes_UCM_320679_Article.jsp
Additional Safety Recognition
The Safe Stars initiative recognizes youth sports leagues throughout Tennessee for providing the highest level of safety for their young athletes. Safe Stars consists of 3 levels: gold, silver, and bronze, and involves implementation of policies around topics such as concussion education, weather safety and injury prevention. For more information go to: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/vipp/safe-stars-initiative.html