Where To Get Sports Safety Training

In 1997, the American Red Cross and the United States Olympic Committee joined together to begin offering a Sports Safety Training program to teach injury prevention and emergency care to the nation's coaches. The 6.5-hour program is designed to teach coaches the principles of injury prevention and the steps to take in giving first aid in emergencies on a sport-specific basis. Participants will receive training in CPR (valid for one year) and Sports Safety Training (valid for three years). Course content includes preventing, preparing for and caring for emergencies should they occur.

Parents should ask their child's club or league to make the course available to coaches, or, better yet, make taking the course, or something similar, mandatory. They should also consider taking it themselves. To enroll in a Sport Safety Training course, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross.