Athletic Trainer, AED Save Athlete After Collapse
Introduction by Rebecca S.
Athletic Trainers (ATs) by definition are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians. The services provided by ATs comprise prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. But our ATs are more than this definition to us. They go above and beyond serving as our guardians during games, matches, events, and even practices!
This article is a great example of what our Athletic trainers do for our athletes day in and day out. Let’s make sure every high school in our country provides all our athletes with knowledgeable and trained professionals such as our Athletic Trainers!
Article via http://www.athleticbusiness.com/
BY: Jason Scott
Caleb Perkins, an athlete at Revere High School in Ohio, collapsed and went into full cardiac arrest during track practice on Friday afternoon. The combined quick thinking by a coach and athletic trainer, and the use of an AED (automated external defibrillator) may have saved his life.
Newsnet 5 Clevelandreports that when Perkins collapsed, a coach told teammates to send for the athletic trainer and AED while the coach performed CPR. The trainer used the AED to shock the boy’s heart before the paramedics arrived.
Lt. George Seifert of the Bath Township Fire Department believes this may have saved Perkins’ life.
“It was a huge, huge factor in this whole outcome,” Seifert said. “Quick CPR is key in sudden cardiac events, and then the application use of the AED only enhances the chances of survival.”
Paramedics shocked the boy’s heart one more time and got a pulse before transporting him to Akron Children’s hospital. He was later taken to the Cleveland Clinic by helicopter.
Police Chief Mike McNeely said that Perkins had regained consciousness.
Revere Local Schools released a statement regarding the incident:
“On Friday, March 18, we had an incident involving a student at Revere Local Schools who was in need of emergency treatment. Our staff did provide emergency services while waiting for the EMS team to arrive. Due to the fact that this involves confidential medical information, we cannot release any additional information at this time.”
