Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is when the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly. This rare condition accounts for approximately 7,000 deaths in the U.S. annually in young people.
Effective in July 2012, Pennsylvania’s Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act requires that all that school coaches, trainers, student athletes and parents be educated about the symptoms of SCA before students are allowed to participate in school athletics. Specifically, it requires coaches, game officials and school-certified athletic trainers to be watchful for signs of SCA, which can include fainting, shortness of breath, chest pains, dizziness and a racing heart rate. Any student showing such signs must be pulled from the field or court immediately and may not return to play until he/she receives a medical clearance from a physician, registered nurse or cardiologist.
Coaches must undergo yearly training about the warning signs of SCA. Additionally, parents and student athletes must read and sign an information sheet about SCA and waiver the student may participate in any school-sponsored athletic activity.
Penalties for coaches not adhering to the new regulations must be enacted within two years by each school district. The penalties include suspension for part of a season for a first violation; suspension for the remaining season and the next season for a second violation and permanent suspension for a third violation