League operators, coaches, and medical professionals from across the country came together for an important conversation about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the leading cause of death in youth sports.
Hosted by the RCX Sports Foundation, in partnership with ZOLL® Medical and Cardio Partners, the webinar brought together real stories, expert insights, and practical guidance to help every youth sports organization build a safer game day environment. The message was clear: being prepared saves lives.
Why Preparation Matters
When an athlete collapses on the field, every second counts. The webinar focused on two critical tools that can make all the difference—emergency action plans (EAPs) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs)—and how training, awareness, and access can turn bystanders into first responders.
“It’s not a matter of if this could happen at an event, it’s a matter of when,” said Jason Gotham, National Account Manager at ZOLL Medical. “We lose a student athlete every 3.5 days.
Organizations with AEDs and emergency preparedness protocols have seen survival rates as high as 70%. ZOLL AEDs are the only ones on the market that provide real-time CPR feedback—studies show this can more than double survival rates.”
Turning Awareness into Action
Michael Riggs, EMT-Paramedic and Emergency Preparedness Consultant at Cardio Partners, shared that readiness needs to become second nature, just like fire drills in schools.
“When the fire alarm goes off, everyone knows what to do,” Riggs said. “But when someone collapses from SCA without a plan, chaos takes over. That’s why programs like this one are so critical. They help organizations turn fear into action.”
Riggs commended the collaboration between Cardio Partners, ZOLL, and RCX Sports Foundation, noting that “together, we’ve built a program that truly equips organizations to save lives.”
A Safer Future for Youth Sports
To close out the evening, the RCX Sports Foundation raffled off two ZOLL AEDs to league operators in attendance:
- Kaywhon Douglas, Metro Columbia Lions (Columbia, South Carolina)
- Glenn Leibel, Robert Jacobson Sports Foundation (Ardsley, New York)
These devices will go directly into the hands of leaders who are already making a difference in youth sports safety.
Organizations interested in learning more or purchasing an AED at a discounted rate can visit www.rcxfoundation.org/aed-grants