ST John Ambulance Victoria will today launch a program to give defibrillators and training to grass-roots sporting clubs.
The Heart Start program will be rolled out at more than 2300 clubs by 2014.
Bacchus Marsh player Nathan Prince, 17, died from a cardiac arrest during a game against North Ballarat City in August.
Ian Prince said a defibrillator could have saved his son's life.
Paramedics took up to 20 minutes to reach Nathan after a bump to his chest triggered a cardiac arrest.
"What I can't understand - a fit, healthy boy - to suddenly lose him the way we did. I struggle every day," Mr Prince said.
Defibrillators use an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm.
St John chief executive Stephen Horton said stage one would deliver 100 defibrillators and training, costing $385,000, to clubs.
Nathan was one of two players and a coach who died in Victoria last year after suffering cardiac arrests at local sporting clubs, Mr Horton said.
"That's three lives that may have been saved if a defibrillator was on hand," he said.
Australian Resuscitation Council associate deputy chairman Professor Peter Morley said having a defibrillator and trained personnel on site was critical in giving players suffering a cardiac arrest the best possible chance of survival and recovery.
"Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time, but is more likely to occur during vigorous physical exercise in competitive sports such as football, basketball and athletics," he said.
- Net link: defibssavelives.com.au
