Design and Implementation of an Emergency Action Plan for Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Sport

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of exercise-related fatalities in athletes. A comprehensive emergency action plan (EAP) is critical to facilitate a rapid and effective response to a cardiac emergency. SCA should be suspected in any athlete that collapses suddenly and is unresponsive. All potential responders to a collapsed athlete should be trained in the recognition of SCA, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). AEDs should be accessible on-site at sporting venues with a target collapse to first shock interval of less than 3 min. Every school, club, and sporting organization that sponsors athletic activities should have a written EAP for SCA. An EAP coordinator should be designated to foster compliance with training, practice, and rehearsal of the EAP at least once annually. Some sports require special considerations for equipment removal or access to emergency services in geographically broad or water-based venues.