An AED on the sideline: a checklist for youth sports coaches

Games and practices are where young athletes collapse. Five things to settle before the season starts.

Before the first practice

1. It comes to every session. An AED in the club house is a four-minute run away from the far pitch. Keep it with the team bag.
2. Name the carrier. One coach brings it, a second one knows where it is.
3. Match the pads to the team. For players under 55 lbs or 8 years, carry infant/child pads or the FRx infant/child key.
4. Write the plan down. Who calls 911, who starts CPR, who meets the ambulance at the gate.
5. Drill it once. Ten minutes with the training pads at the start of the season is enough to make it calm.

The rugged HeartStart FRx is built for the sideline, and the carry case holds the spare pads.