A chest protector to reduce risk of commotio cordis. The chest protector includes an inner protector member and an outer shell. The inner protector member includes a protector plate and one or more supporting members. The protector plate has a first surface facing the user's chest and a second surface facing away from the user's chest, and the first surface has a central portion and side portions. The one or more supporting members are attached to the side portions of the first surface of the protector plate but not to the central portion of the first surface such that an air space is defined by the central portion of the first surface and the one or more supporting members. The protector plate and the one or more supporting members are configured such that the central portion of the first surface of the protector plate is spaced apart from the chest. When an object impacts the second surface of the protector plate, the impact force is distributed to the supporting members and passed to side portions of the user's chest.