Introduction & Emergency Mindset: Sets the tone for the course by defining a coach's role in emergencies, emphasizing preparedness, calm decision-making, and legal protections (e.g., Good Samaritan laws).
Adult CPR Skills: Covers recognition of cardiac arrest and step-by-step hands-on CPR techniques (compressions and breaths), including use of the recovery position.
AED Operation: Teaches how to locate, turn on, and use an AED, with practice scenarios to build confidence in using the device quickly and correctly during an emergency.
Sport Emergency Scenarios: Focuses on common on-field emergencies: cardiac arrest, concussion with LOC, seizures, diabetic crises, sprains/strains, dislocations, fractures, and heat illness. Emphasizes recognition, immediate care, and when to call EMS.
Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for Coaches: Reviews how to build and execute a site-specific emergency plan, including AED location, EMS access, and team roles during an emergency.
Team Communication in a Crisis: Provides strategies for clear, calm communication with EMS, bystanders, athletes, and parents during high-stress situations.
Final Assessment & Course Wrap-Up: Includes CPR/AED skills check and scenario-based reviews. Ends with key takeaways, questions, and distribution of certifications and resources.
This course is designed for coaches, team staff, dance instructors, and volunteer parents—at all levels from youth to collegiate sports—who are often the first to respond to medical emergencies during practices, games, or training sessions. It equips participants with the life-saving skills, emergency response knowledge, and sport-specific confidence needed to manage incidents such as cardiac arrest, seizures, diabetic episodes, dislocations, and more. No healthcare background is required. Students will learn how to perform CPR, use an AED, activate EMS, implement an Emergency Action Plan, and communicate effectively with athletes, parents, and medical personnel—all in a hands-on, accessible, coach-centered format. If you are a healthcare professional, please look at the Emergency Medical Responder Course for Sports Clinicians.
Upon completion of this course, participants will receive an American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, valid for two years. In addition to this nationally recognized credential, students will gain sport-specific emergency skills not covered in a standard BLS course—including management of athletic injuries like sprains, dislocations, seizures, diabetic episodes, and implementation of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs). These added skills are tailored specifically for the coaching environment, making this course uniquely relevant and practical for anyone responsible for athlete safety.
The course is approximately 5-6 hours long.
Yes, supplies will be provided and are essential for participation in the course. Each student will receive the American Heart Association BLS Provider Manual, a CPR mask, and other basic training supplies needed for hands-on practice. These materials are included as part of the course and will help ensure participants are fully prepared for both the certification and real-world emergency situations.
If the registrant cancels 30 or more calendar days prior to the beginning of the course, registrant may apply the full course fee to another class, with no extra fees applied, or a refund minus 20% of registration fee for bank charges and administrative fees. If less than 30 days to a registered course, the participant will not be eligible for a refund, but can transfer their funds one time to another scheduled course for no additional fees. If registrant needs to cancel a second time, a 20% (of course registration) administrative fee will be charged for every course cancellation and reregistration moving forward. If registrant does not use transferred funds within one year, they will not be refunded and will not be able to transfer their funds to another scheduled course. Novasport Institute is not financially responsible for any airfare, hotel, or any other personal travel expense.
