Safety Tutorial for an Athletic Trainer

1. Safety Tutorialfor anAthletic Trainer Eric Jordan Pittsford Sutherland High School

2. Conduct initial assessment of injury Care for injuries Evaluate athletes' readiness to play Apply protective or injury preventive devices Develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs Advise athletes on proper use of equipment Plan and implement injury prevention programs Develop training programs to improve athletic performance Report the progress of athletes to coaches Travel with athletic teams Training Tasks for an Athletic Trainer

3. Pre-Test • All athletic injuries will heel over time without medical care? • Significant medical training is necessary to become a trainer? • Trainers need little if any postsecondary training? • The job only requires the trainer to be available on weekdays from 9 to 5? • Little additional education is necessary after becoming certified?

4. Pre-Test Answers • All athletic injuries will heel over time without medical care? False • Significant medical training is necessary to become a trainer? True • Trainers need little if any postsecondary training? False • The job only requires the trainer to be available on weekdays from 9 to 5? False • Little additional education is necessary after becoming certified? False

5. Appropriate Clothes • Athletic attire with school logo • Will change due to weather and/or season • Examples will include: • Gym shorts, wind pants and jackets, polo shirts, sweatshirts, and sneakers • Clothing should be comfortable because of: • Quick response for medical attention/emergency • Always on the go and outside

6. Safety Equipment • Trainer must wear protective equipment • Latex gloves and goggles when treating athlete • All athletes must wear standard protective equipment • Supply additional safety equipment when necessary • Teach athletes how to use equipment properly • Sterilize workstation between patients

7. Tools • Application and proper usage of: • Crutches, splints, braces, and bandages • Wheelchair • Stethoscope • Flatboard, stretcher, and step ladder

8. Equipment/Machinery • Application and proper usage of: • Ice Machine • Golf carts • Nautilus/Cardiovascular Equipment • Wheelchair

9. Electrical • Application and proper usage of: • Cardiovascular Equipment • Defibulator • Heart rate monitor • Handheld radio and/or cell phone • Laptop computer

10. Floors, Doors, Exits • Maintain clean playing surface • Athletes don’t slip or fall • Keep open entryways for emergencies • Ambulance, medical personnel, golf cart • Maps displaying emergencies exit pathways

11. Chemical Hazards • Powders, dusts, gases, vapors, liquids • Administration and observance of: • Pain medication • Oral and topical • Disinfectants • Iodine, peroxide, alcohol, sanitizers • Respiration • Oxygen

12. Ergonomic Hazards - Lifting • Bend knees when lifting • Use proper lifting technique when lifting patients • Use assistance in lifting when available • Golf Cart, athletes, other trainers

13. Infectious diseases • Exposed to many diseases • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) • Contact with blood and other bodily fluids • Air born illnesses (Influenza or Pneumonia) • Traveling with Team • Fungal Infections • Contact through touching equipment and/or apparatus

14. Fire • Fire extinguishers • Location during indoor event • Near each major exit • At the scorekeepers booth • Behind each teams bench near trainer • Location during outdoor event • On trainers golf cart • Maps displaying emergencies exit pathways

15. Robbery, Bomb Scares • Maintain professional composure • Responsibility to keep pressure off athletes • Assist security when possible • Keep players out of harms way • Emergency evacuation plan

16. Angry/threatening Customers • Should not confront angry/threatening fans • Unless they pose an immediate threat to players • Let security handle when possible • Main responsibly is safety of athletes

17. HOW and to WHOM DO YOU REPORT AN INJURY • Perform initial analysis • Assess seriousness of injury • If warranted report to: • Team coach, physician, and/or doctor immediately • Document injury on an injury report

18. Trainers are not exposed to infectious diseases? Athletes are trainers primary concern? Teach athletes how to use equipment properly? Discuss injury with other medical professionals? Only work with team during home games? Have set working hours? Teach athletes how to train properly? Need or use electronic equipment? Dress in professional attire for work? Actions may prevent further injury from occurring? Post Test

19. Trainers are not exposed to infectious diseases? False Athletes are trainers primary concern? True Teach athletes how to use equipment properly? True Discuss injury with other medical professionals? True Only work with team during home games? False Have set working hours? False Teach athletes how to train properly? True Need or use electronic equipment? True Dress in professional attire for work? False Actions may prevent further injury from occurring? True Post Test

20. Safety Web Resources • http://www.nata.org/publications/otherpub/lightning.pdf • http://www.acsm.org/ • http://www.nismat.org/traincor/ • http://www.apta.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home • http://www.athleteproject.com/sportsmedtiap.html • http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/ • http://sportspecific.com/