CPR/AED Training State Requirements for US High School Students and Athletic Coaches: A Descriptive Comparison

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sports Medicine
• Emergency Preparedness

Background:

• Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in sports.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training significantly improves bystander intervention rates during cardiac emergencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare statewide policies on CPR/AED training requirements for high school students and coaches.
• To identify disparities in CPR/AED training mandates across the United States.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive review of high school sports safety policy mandates and graduation requirements in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
• Policy assessment using a rubric focused on emergency preparedness, including state statutes and athletic association bylaws.
• Data collection on CPR/AED training requirements referencing the American Heart Association and schoolcpr.com.

Main Results:

• 67% of states mandate CPR/AED training for both coaches and students.
• 17% of states require CPR/AED training for students but not coaches.
• 12% of states require CPR/AED training for coaches but not students.

Conclusions:

• While most states mandate CPR/AED training, 84% for students and 79% for coaches, disparities exist.
• A notable finding is that 9 states require more CPR/AED training for students than for supervising adults.
• These findings indicate a potential gap in bystander training and raise concerns about emergency response in schools.