Manager Mike Sagaro prepares Team MVP from Miami for a matchup against the Lamorinda Spartans of Walnut Creek, California, on Aug. 24, 2013. | Lance Murphey, APManager Mike Sagaro prepares Team MVP from Miami for a matchup against the Lamorinda Spartans of Walnut Creek, California, on Aug. 24, 2013. | Lance Murphey, AP
Manager Mike Sagaro prepares Team MVP from Miami for a matchup against the Lamorinda Spartans of Walnut Creek, California, on Aug. 24, 2013. | Lance Murphey, AP

Youth coaches now must undergo CPR training

Published on March 26, 2024 at 9:55 am

A new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday requires youth athletics coaches to learn how to render life-saving aid — including CPR.

State Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, sponsored the measure. He says that as a parent, he wants every coach to know the basics.

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“In our state, sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death for student-athletes,” he said during a recent state Senate committee hearing. “It impacts as many as 23,000 young people annually.

The measure applies to Florida’s public K-12 schools. Coaches must undergo CPR training every two years.

“This bill takes a remarkable step forward and make sure that when we’re not there with our kids, we can rest assure that the training does happen,” Collins said. “The tools are there to provide them that opportunity to have a successful outcome, when something does go wrong.”

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The law also requires an AED, or automated external defibrillator, to be present at all sporting events, including practices and workouts.

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author image Adrian Andrews is a multimedia journalist with WFSU Public Media. He is a Gadsden County native and a first-generation college graduate from Florida A&M University. Adrian is also a military veteran, ending his career as a Florida Army National Guard Non-Comissioned Officer. Adrian has experience in print writing, digital content creation, documentary and film production. He has spent the last four years on the staff of several award-winning publications such as The Famuan, Gadsden County News Corp. and Cumulus Media before joining the WFSU news team.
author image Adrian Andrews is a multimedia journalist with WFSU Public Media. He is a Gadsden County native and a first-generation college graduate from Florida A&M University. Adrian is also a military veteran, ending his career as a Florida Army National Guard Non-Comissioned Officer. Adrian has experience in print writing, digital content creation, documentary and film production. He has spent the last four years on the staff of several award-winning publications such as The Famuan, Gadsden County News Corp. and Cumulus Media before joining the WFSU news team.

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