Lincoln Youth Football League teams receive AEDs from Nebraska Heart Institute

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The heat is one health risk this time of year, but another more silent risk lurks for young athletes.

The Mayo Clinic said cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in youth athletes.

CHI Health’s Nebraska Heart Institute is hoping to prevent that.

On Wednesday, it gave away automated external defibrillators to the teams in the Lincoln Youth Football League and taught them how to use the devices.

“Every second counts in these situations, so you cannot have instances where someone can’t find an AED or has to travel a good distance for an AED,” said Rick Thompson, president of the heart institute. “It’s got to be ready right away.”

SEE ALSO: Kooser Elementary is first LPS school to receive Heart Safe designation

After millions of people witnessed the sudden cardiac arrest of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, calls grew louder for AEDs at sporting events.

The Lincoln Youth Football League has one at its competition facility, but the teams didn’t have any for their practices until now.

CPR is important, but AEDs are crucial to saving lives.

“For a lethal arrhythmia, only electrical charge and a defibrillation will actually counteract that lethal arrhythmia,” Thompson said.

The league said the AEDs will make practice much safer for the kids.

“The AEDs will make all of our operation, all of our practice sites 100% safer,” league Commissioner Mike Selvage said. “It gives us that peace of mind that we have the access to early defibrillation in the event of a cardiac event.”

The plan has been in the works for at least two years.

The league’s season starts Sunday.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln Children’s Museum recognized for its cardiac emergency preparedness