Cardiac Emergency Response Plans

AYSO Regions maintain Cardiac Emergency Response Plans so that coaches, volunteers, and families know what to do if someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest at a practice or game. Sudden cardiac arrest is rare. When it happens, CPR and an AED used within the first few minutes give the best chance of survival.

Below are links to current plans as required by California and New York. Each plan includes:

• the steps to follow in a suspected cardiac emergency
• the location of AEDs at the fields the Region uses
• the Region staff to notify in a sudden cardiac event
• the roles of coaches, Region administration, and players

Plans are reviewed every year.

Parents and guardians: If you came here from your registration notice, find your Region number below and open its plan. Your Region number is on your registration confirmation. Please review the plan with your player in a way that fits their age.

Can’t find your Region, or have a question? Contact your Region’s Safety Director, or email [national contact address].

New York Regions

New York state law, effective May 22, 2024, requires youth sports organizations, including AYSO, to provide an AED and a trained provider at every AYSO function including games, practices, camps and clinics. A Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program must have the following elements:

1. Medical Direction - New York State licensed physician or New York State based hospital knowledgeable and experienced in emergency cardiac care to serve as Emergency Health Care Provider (EHCP) to participate in a written collaborative agreement.
2. Appropriate Number of AED Devices - Select an AED that is in compliance with the Article 30, section 3000‐B (1)(A) which must be programmed to the current Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) Guidelines, and capable of defibrillating both adult and pediatric patients.
3. Accredited Training in the Use of AED - Select and use an approved PAD training course for AED users. The State of New York has specified training must be provided by one of the following agencies:
   1. American Heart Association
   2. American Red Cross
   3. American Lifeguard Association
   4. American Safety and Health Institute
   5. EMS Safety Institute
   6. National Safety Council
4. 911 Emergency Medical Services - Provide written notice to the 911 center in your county of the availability of AED service at the organization’s location.
5. Post Event Reporting - Every use of an automated external defibrillator on a patient shall be immediately reported to the appropriate local emergency medical services system, emergency communications center or emergency vehicle dispatch center as appropriate and promptly reported to the emergency health care provider.
6. PAD Program Plan - Regions or Areas registering players, must provide a copy of your written PAD Program Plan and signed Collaborative Agreement to your Area Director or Section Director, respectively.

   Download Checklist of PAD Required Elements

California Regions

[Region # – Region name – link to plan]