Cardiac arrest, heat stroke and sickle cell anemia account for the majority of deaths in high school and college football.

And all of them are preventable.

Dr. Douglas Casa shared this message with youth and high school administrators from across the country during the 2016 USA Football National Conference.

Eighty-five percent of all football-related heat stroke deaths happen during the first three days of practice. In 2003, the NCAA addressed this by limiting two-a-day sessions and when equipment could be worn during the first two weeks of preseason practices.

“As a result, from 2003 to today, the NCAA has had just one August heat stroke death in football. They had been averaging two per year,” Casa said. “One rule change that cost no money saved about 30 athletes’ lives."

About 700 people die each year in the United States because of heat stroke, but football programs can all but eliminate this tragedy through heat acclimatization and having a full-body immersion tub available at each practice and game site.

Casa, a former distance runner who experienced heat stroke as a high school athlete, now works at marathons and other events where body temperatures can rise as high as 108 or 110 degrees and heat stroke can occur. The goal is recognition and quick treatment through full-body immersion to get the body temperature below 104.

“I’ve treated 215 heat strokes in my life, and zero of them have died,” he said.

With sudden cardiac arrest, Casa said early recognition combined with access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) has led high survival rates. Every minute that passes without AED treatment decreases the chance of survival by 10 percent, which is why Casa urges AED access at every field and gym.

And with sickle cell anemia, a simple blood test will tell which athletes are affected so coaches can adjust their workout levels accordingly.

“These are simple measures – many of which costs no money – that all save lives,” Casa said.

Along with tackling and blocking fundamentals, USA Football’s Heads Up Football program teaches these important health and safety issues to coaches, players and parents. Casa urged audience members to make Heads Up Football part of their organizations’ education programs and put emergency action plans in place.