SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
An average of three high school students suffer cardiac arrest every day in the United States. That's according to the National Athletic Trainers Association, which is advocating for a bill to regulate certified trainers.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest mid-game last month brought to attention the vital role of an athletic trainer. In Hamlin's case, a certified trainer was nearby, along with a defibrillator and played a crucial role in his survival.
And in Sacramento, Emmanuel Antwi, a Kennedy High School football player, also collapsed mid-game and died. While no one can say for sure if his death could have been prevented, having a state-certified athletic trainer on site could have probably increased his chances of surviving
Both NATA and the California Athletic Trainers' Association are using the timing of Hamlin's survival to push for a California bill that would regulate athletic trainers in the state. Assembly Bill 796 would certify athletic trainers who would be trained to recognize all injuries, including heat stroke.
It would also prohibit a person from practicing as an athletic trainer or using certain titles or terms without being licensed by the board, according to LegInfo.
California is the only state that does not regulate athletic trainers.
The symposium is happening in Sacramento on Friday and Saturday.