OMG hope he’s okay. So scary.
So scary. Wonder if there’s an underlying condition they weren’t aware of.
I’m no expert here but I’m pretty sure they have things that help athletes with heart issues now - far different than back in the Reggie Lewis, Hank Gathers times.This is terrifying stuff. I can only wonder if this is going to be something relatively treatable through medication or surgery or a Reggie Lewis type thing that actually impacts his ability to play in the future.
I think it’s tough to tell, for a few reasons. Studies typically show the ‘very young’ age group as 40 and younger. A 2019 study did show an increase in prevalence of that age bracket, for exactly the reason many of us would guess. Obesity. As the number of grossly overweight young people rises, so do all the issues associated with obesity, including diabetes and cardiovascular. A 2023 study published by OSU didn’t outline any other potential causes.Is this happening more often or am I just hearing about more of them than in the past?
It's not hard to have them at most venues. Most places that hold practices are the same ones that have games. And all schools should have them anyway. Considering the amount of money spent on athletic equipment and facilities, the expense for an AED isn't that much.I hope AEDs become ubiquitous at all sporting levels - and not just for games.
I know they may be too expensive for non-club/travel organizations but the number of folks they'll save (kids, coaches, spectators) is immeasurable.
(Well, it'd obviously be measurable but you get my drift)
I agree with your point but not every youth sport is played indoors or at a dedicated sports complex.It's not hard to have them at most venues. Most places that hold practices are the same ones that have games. And all schools should have them anyway. Considering the amount of money spent on athletic equipment and facilities, the expense for an AED isn't that much.
That makes sense. I wasn't thinking about youth leagues. Scholastic sports or something similarly formal was what I had in mind.I agree with your point but not every youth sport is played indoors or at a dedicated sports complex.
All youth soccer, baseball, and lacrosse events are held at one of 2 public parks in my town. These aren’t facilities solely dedicated for sports as they have playgrounds and pavilions used by multiple organizations.
Asking the town to stock an AED on site was a non-starter because they’re not taking on the liability of having one and testing/maintaining it.
They won’t risk being party to a lawsuit from a grieving family (led by an ambulance chaser) who claims the town was negligent for not making the AED more easily accessible to their lost loved one on a field 100-200 yards away. Or god forbid the unit failed (either due to improper use or malfunction).
This is why our boys and girls town lacrosse programs bought their own AEDs to have at every practice/game. Whichever coach has the medkit (ice packs, band aids, spare mouth guards, etc) brings the AED.
Hopefully common sense prevails in the not too distant future and AEDs become more available.