The North Carolina High School Athletic Association announced on Apr. 7 a partnership with Avive Solutions to provide advanced automated external defibrillator (AED) technology and training opportunities for high schools across the state.
The initiative aims to improve emergency preparedness and student safety by equipping athletic staff and school communities with modern tools for responding to Sudden Cardiac Arrest, which is identified as the leading cause of death among student-athletes and on school campuses.
Commissioner Que Tucker said, “The NCHSAA is always interested in cutting-edge opportunities to benefit our student athletes. Avive will help in our goal to provide resources that help ensure the health and safety of those participating in our programs.”
Avive’s Connect AED stands out from traditional defibrillators by automatically alerting 911 telecommunicators and sharing real-time data during emergencies. The device also offers audio and video guidance, a Training Mode for practice sessions, and weighs just 2.1 pounds—making it easy for staff to carry between athletic venues.
Sameer Jafri, CEO and co-founder of Avive Solutions, said, “We are honored to partner with the NCHSAA to help strengthen cardiac arrest preparedness across North Carolina high schools. We believe every student-athlete deserves to compete in a heart-safe environment and are proud to support greater access to lifesaving technology and training opportunities that will surely improve outcomes.”
Trey Keeney, Community Programs Specialist at Avive Solutions, added, “As a former NC high school athlete and the son of a 20+ year NC high school coach, this partnership with the NCHSAA is deeply meaningful to me… This partnership is about providing cost-effective, innovative life-saving technology to ensure that every gym and field in North Carolina is a heart-safe environment for our kids to compete.”
As part of their collaboration, Avive will co-sponsor regional meetings as well as the annual Student Leadership Conference organized by NCHSAA. These events will include hands-on CPR and AED training sessions for athletic directors, school leaders, and students.
Janna Fonesca, Director of Health, Safety & Wellness at NCHSAA said: “Having the right personnel, with the right training, in the right place, and at the right time is critical when it comes to emergency preparedness. Avive is going to help NCHSAA member schools elevate their preparedness by providing cost-effective equipment and training.”
According to both organizations’ mission statements included in their announcement materials: The NCHSAA provides governance for interscholastic athletics aimed at enriching students’ educational experiences; while Avive Solutions focuses on increasing survival rates from Sudden Cardiac Arrest through intelligent AED deployment.
