By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
April 24, 2024-An AED, Automated External Defibrillator, can save lives. It is utilized to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. An AED is a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electric shock, or defribrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
Several Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) clubs use Veterans Park in East Northport as a home field and the scoreboards on the two turf fields there have the logo of the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation. 14-year-old Louis Acompora was playing in his first high school lacrosse game in West Islip on March 25, 2000 when he died from commotio chest, which resulted from a blow to his chest. This fatal condition leads to sudden cardiac arrest. Following his tragic death, the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation was created to raise awareness about the importance of having AED’s, which could have saved Louis’ life.
The New York State Senator’s office shared the following information from the Department of Health regarding AED’s and Youth Sports programs. ENYYSA combined the information and posted it to the ENY website to provide further guidance on how to comply as we approach the effective date of the legislation on May 21, 2024.
AED Guidance for Youth Sports in New York State
AED Guidance Resources:
- New York State Department of Health Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Requirements (PDF)
- AED Implementation Plan (PDF)
- CPR Implementation Guide
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/