A survey of certification for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in high school athletic coaches

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can increase survival in instances of sudden cardiac arrest. Nationally, high school coaches are the first responders to sudden cardiac arrest in up to one-third of high school athlete collapses, but little is known about the status of their CPR certification. The primary goal of this study was to assess the proportion of Wisconsin high school coaches that are certified in CPR.

A prospective web-based survey was developed and distributed to high school athletic directors in Wisconsin.

Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported that coaches are the primary responders to a collapse. The majority of high schools do not require CPR certification and only 50% of coaches are currently CPR certified. Athletic directors with greater than 12 years of experience were the most likely to have an emergency action plan in place (P= 0.004).

In Wisconsin, the proportion of coaches who act as the primary responder to a collapse is greater than previously reported. Although the majority of coaches in Wisconsin serve as the primary responder to an episode of sudden cardiac arrest, only about 50% are CPR certified. Due to the severe consequences of sudden cardiac arrest, CPR certification among coaches should be required.