Some parents are struggling to talk to their children after an NFL player suffered cardiac arrest while on the field of a nationally televised game on Monday night.

Island Park father Bobby Buckley was one of the millions of Americans who watched Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suddenly collapsed on the field.

He says he explained to his two daughters what happened so they would understand.

"It's tough but it's life," Buckley said. "Unfortunately, it happened but we just say, all you can do is pray for the guy."

Oceanside High School football coach Rob Blount says he was watching the game with his young children at home. He says the accident is a reminder about on-field safety.

"When you speak as a parent to your own child - one of the things you look at is there are inherent risks in anything you do," Coach Blount said. "As you play one of the things you want to do is make sure you're cautious as possible and take the proper precautions."

Dr. Victor Fornari, director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for Northwell Health, says you should ask your child if they have any questions and answer truthfully in a way that is appropriate for their age.

"Kids are resilient as a rule and I think as long as their questions are answered in an honest and factual way and they're given support from their families, kids should be fine," Dr. Fornari said.

Blount said precautions like CPR training and AED certification are important to keeping everyone safe during practices and games.