It's been four years since Louis Acompora, an energetic goaltender on the Northport freshman boys lacrosse team, died on the field after being struck in the chest by a lacrosse ball. An automated external defibrillator or AED could have saved Acompora, a crusade the family has adopted in the years since.

The Nassau PAL, with help from the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation, has undertaken an ambitious program to add AEDs to every park and facility they use.

"We're hoping this is a model for other youth sports to follow," said Lt. Kevin Canavan, who is overseeing the $200,000 project. The PAL has purchased 80 of the devices and the Acompora Foundation has donated 32 more. Canavan said the hope is to train all 1,700 PAL volunteers how to use AEDs. The Nassau PAL is looking for donations and grants to help defray the cost. Contact them at 516-573-5332.

"It was never mandated for youth sports, but the PAL thought this is such an important thing," Canavan said. "It's an insurance policy we hope to never use."