Lawmaker introduces bill to require CPR training for all coaches

When Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and was saved by CPR it brought new attention to the training.

However, in New Jersey, a family is mourning the death of a 12-year-old boy who died during football practice because no one at the scene knew CPR. In response to these incidents, New York State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has introduced legislation to expand CPR training requirements for coaches.

Currently, high school coaches in New York State are required to have CPR training. The proposed bill would extend this requirement to youth sports coaches across the state. Assemblyman Santabarbara said that the recent incidents in both professional and youth sports highlight the importance of CPR training, not only in football but also in other youth sports such as baseball, softball, and basketball.

“When someone goes into cardiac arrest, seconds can mean the difference,” said Susie Burnett, a paramedic and CPR instructor for AMR of Central New York. For every minute that the heart is not beating, the chances of survival decrease by 10 percent. Burnett emphasized the importance of knowing CPR, stating that only about 10 percent of people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive.

Assemblyman Santabarbara hopes that the bill can be passed as part of the state budget, citing the timely nature of the issue. The proposed legislation aims to ensure that coaches at all levels of youth sports are equipped with the necessary life-saving skills to perform CPR and maintain brain function until first responders can arrive.

Staff Report

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