• July 1, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• PCC,118AB

Heart of the Game: Cardiac Arrest Response in the Equipment-Laden Athlete

Cardiac emergencies in sport are rare but catastrophic, requiring athletic trainers to act immediately and with precision. This blended lecture-lab provides participants with the knowledge and practical skills to manage sudden cardiac arrest in athletes wearing protective equipment. The lecture portion explores the mechanisms and recognition of cardiac conditions such as commotio cordis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and other cardiac pathologies. Participants will learn the clinical differences, red flag signs, and implications for sideline preparedness. Special attention will be given to emergency equipment configuration and AED access within 3 minutes of collapse. The lab portion emphasizes the physical challenges of equipment removal while maintaining CPR quality and AED deployment within national performance benchmarks. Attendees will participate in skills refresher and simulations that test and build confidence in rapid decision-making, airway access, pad placement, and coordinated response.

Learning Objectives - Differentiate between common causes of sudden cardiac arrest in athletes, including commotio cordis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmogenic conditions, and describe how each presents clinically.
- Show rapid and effective removal of sport-specific equipment (helmet, shoulder pads, chest protectors) to facilitate high-quality CPR and AED use in line with national benchmarks.
- Apply high-quality CPR and AED deployment within a 3-minute window during simulated cardiac arrest scenarios involving equipment-laden athletes.
- Evaluate and optimize emergency action plan logistics and AED access points to ensure timely response to cardiac emergencies in sport-specific environments.

Lab Objectives
- Apply proper techniques for rapid and safe removal of athletic equipment (e.g., helmets, shoulder pads) to allow immediate access for CPR and AED pad placement.

Keywords: Access; compressions; airway; CPR; equipment