COMMOTIO CORDIS

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Players, parents and coaches should make sure their lacrosse gear meets the ND200 “NOCSAE Performance Standard to Protect Against Commotio Cordis.” Here’s a list of gear certified to our standard on the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) website. Also read about the push to make AEDs (automated external defibrillators) available on playing fields. AEDs are the second line of defense against commotio cordis.

NOCSAE equipment mark signifying that a baseball heart protector has been certified compliant by SEI

Sample NOCSAE equipment mark

A boy baseball catcher waits in position for the next pitch.

WHAT IS COMMOTIO CORDIS?

Commotio cordis is a life-threatening sports injury which can sometimes happen when a player is struck in the chest, sending the player into sudden cardiac crisis. Commotio cordis can affect athletes of any age. Looking across all sports, 15-25 athletes die every year from commotio cordis—most are under the age of 18. NOCSAE developed standards for protectors in the sports of baseball and lacrosse.

NOCSAE’s ROLE IN PROTECTION AGAINST CC

NOCSAE funded groundbreaking research to find out how to protect against commotio cordis — collaborating with USA Lacrosse and the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation. NOCSAE used discoveries from this research to develop and publish the first standard to protect against commotio cordis. Companies that make and sell chest protectors for baseball and lacrosse follow this standard to make and test their products. NOCSAE committed over 2 million dollars to the commotio cordis research that ultimately led to an effective chest protector. Read the full standard developed by NOCSAE.

NOCSAE Commotio Cordis Protector Equipment Mark

Sample NOCSAE equipment mark