One of the SCARY things is what to do if a player swallows his tongue!  I've seen that happen TWICE in 50 years as a result of a HARD HIT!

If a player has an obstructed airway, the best help without additional training is to try and place the player on their side so their tongue is less likely to completely block their airway. If they are seizing, do not try to restrain them or force anything into their mouth. You are likely to get bit, break their teeth, or cause further airway obstruction.

With any airway or breathing issues, or if a player shows any sign of altered mental status, getting trained help ASAP is critical. Get a call in to 911. Sometimes, the 911 dispatcher can provide guidance based on the situation as well.

If you have EMS workers in attendance, they are likely to be carrying additional equipment and will be trained in airway management techniques that can help as well.

Im a physical therapist and a certified first responder DO NOT i repeat DO NOT administer anything other then a band aid to a hurt player you are making your self liable by law unless you are first aid,cpr certified, if a kid is legitimatley hurt like a neck or head injury do not administer your 'expertise" unless you actually have it.  You shuold all have a nurse, trainer, doctor, or emt at every game i know we have to and im the alternate...if you dont find one... dont get sued for helping jonny with a sprained neck bc his parents are upset or the hospital found out you touched them... just dont do it, you will do more harm then good... this thread should have a disclaimer not to administer unless trained, i would not trust a mechanic who is not certified to work on my car i sure as hell am not gonna want some untrained professional touch my kid when hes hurt... call my mommy and daddy and ask for permission to move there son if you do not have a EMT or health care professional for your own safety and especially for the kids

If a player has an obstructed airway, the best help without additional training is to try and place the player on their side so their tongue is less likely to completely block their airway. If they are seizing, do not try to restrain them or force anything into their mouth. You are likely to get bit, break their teeth, or cause further airway obstruction.

With any airway or breathing issues, or if a player shows any sign of altered mental status, getting trained help ASAP is critical. Get a call in to 911. Sometimes, the 911 dispatcher can provide guidance based on the situation as well.

If you have EMS workers in attendance, they are likely to be carrying additional equipment and will be trained in airway management techniques that can help as well.

ive delt with this in a medical setting, its judgement time so you either go all out or not at all, but if you must to save a life grab the base of the mandible (lower jaw) and squeeze the part that connects to the maxilla (upper jaw) this immediatley relaxes the mouth and opens it wider which will relax the toungue and cause it to come out, directley behind the bottom row of teath, then as coach guy says move him on his side slowly, someone should be behind him so he doesnt roll back onto his back, the other option is put him down face first... a nurse actually taught me that if you blow softley on a persons face during a seizure the tremors will be less violent to my surprise this worked as well, remember a seizure is an involuntary muscular contraction more so systemic, so everything firing uncontrolably, muscles twitch when cold hense the shivers, so if you hug the kid while on his side from behind and apply pressure and heat he will slowly calm down,  besure your arms are over his arms to keep you safe,  do not squeeze him and remind him to breath even though he cant control it he can still hear you and will eventually regain control of his nervous system...asalways call the 911

As an EMT, I am acutely aware of the liability issues that are multiplying each year.  That's why I asked Coach Kell to remove posts directly on this site giving first aid advice.

While we might mean well to give additional advice in this thread for specific situations, the liability issues will increase.

So I am asking folks who read this thread to:

- Please do not post first aid advice directly on our forum. Even the most accurate information can either go out of date (CPR compression/breath ratios change, etc.,) or be misunderstood by the reader (who might not have the training to assess ABC priorities, for example)

- Understand that the links provided are for those interested in becoming familiar with first aid issues in coaching situations. We have no control over the information provided in those links, and the reader assumes all risk in the application of any advice found on those links.

- Get educated, get certified, and keep current. Many credible organizations provide CPR, AED, first aid, advanced first aid, first responder, and EMS training. Reading something on the internet is different from training and certification. Check in periodically to refresh and update your knowledge.

Thanks,

Coach Guy

High Five!! couldnt have said it better, i have heard of leagues mandating all head coaches be first aid and cpr certified which i think is great and more leagues should promote this, i know for the insurance we have to cover our organization theres a discount/rebate if we can garuntee and prove that there is/was a emt,ATC,RN, or MD on the field during every game of the season

never the less if your league doesnt mandate it, theres no harm in getting certified only take a few hours of time and maybe a few bucks but its worth it and then some

I would strongly suggest that your league have Coaches go through a First Aid course.  It is part of the requirement in many states on order to become a coach at schools. 

Our small town has EMT's at each game.  We feed them and provide drinks during the day, as well as,  donate money to the FD at the end of the year. 

One of the SCARY things is what to do if a player swallows his tongue!  I've seen that happen TWICE in 50 years as a result of a HARD HIT!

Wow in 12 years as a paramedic I've never seen anyone swallow their tongue.  I've seen a few obstructed airways though

As an EMT, I am acutely aware of the liability issues that are multiplying each year.  That's why I asked Coach Kell to remove posts directly on this site giving first aid advice.

While we might mean well to give additional advice in this thread for specific situations, the liability issues will increase.

So I am asking folks who read this thread to:

- Please do not post first aid advice directly on our forum. Even the most accurate information can either go out of date (CPR compression/breath ratios change, etc.,) or be misunderstood by the reader (who might not have the training to assess ABC priorities, for example)

- Understand that the links provided are for those interested in becoming familiar with first aid issues in coaching situations. We have no control over the information provided in those links, and the reader assumes all risk in the application of any advice found on those links.

- Get educated, get certified, and keep current. Many credible organizations provide CPR, AED, first aid, advanced first aid, first responder, and EMS training. Reading something on the internet is different from training and certification. Check in periodically to refresh and update your knowledge.

Thanks,

Coach Guy

Good point, most of the posts I had cut and pasted directly from the Mayo clinic, or from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital...but I see Guy's point, too much liability. 

however i strongly suggest that a link be posted to deal with anaphalaxis, it's just too prevalent nowadays

Everyone should familiarize themselves with basic 1st aid, and CPR, I strongly reccommend coaches take an EMT course. 

Im a physical therapist and a certified first responder DO NOT i repeat DO NOT administer anything other then a band aid to a hurt player you are making your self liable by law unless you are first aid,cpr certified, if a kid is legitimatley hurt like a neck or head injury do not administer your 'expertise" unless you actually have it.  You shuold all have a nurse, trainer, doctor, or emt at every game i know we have to and im the alternate...if you dont find one... dont get sued for helping jonny with a sprained neck bc his parents are upset or the hospital found out you touched them... just dont do it, you will do more harm then good... this thread should have a disclaimer not to administer unless trained, i would not trust a mechanic who is not certified to work on my car i sure as hell am not gonna want some untrained professional touch my kid when hes hurt... call my mommy and daddy and ask for permission to move there son if you do not have a EMT or health care professional for your own safety and especially for the kids

Diddo...

I am a Recreation Specialist and Site Director certified in FA/CPR/AED/MAT.  When I first became certified I had a child who had seizures at least 3 times daily in our summer camp.  She would have one while talking or playing games in the gym.  Crazy thing is...she could fully function while having her seizure and if you didn't know the signs you wouldn't know at all until she passed out which she did everytime after the seizure stopped.  Only being certified for a short time and with little experience my first response was for help from others with more knowledge.  Learn to recognize the situation, properly analyze the situation, and make the proper decision.

Bump for a sticky?

Bump for a sticky?

Yes, definitely needs a sticky, tack or nail.

Agreed I have a First Aid Card, thanks to our league! I sat in on a seminar concerning Brain Injuries (concussions), thanks to our league.  Other than Immediate response to injuries, I acquiesce to those folks who know more than the basics.  Thankfully many of our parents are EMT's, ER Nurses, and other such Medical professionals. 

I would much rather send the kid to the Hospital, in an Ambulance, than make a mistake!  I advise parents what to look for when it comes to Head and Neck injuries.  I, personally, would rather the kid sit out the rest of the season, than play him. 

Hence, even though I know how to do CPR and use an AED.  I NEVER want to have to! 

3 years ago I had a young man get Absolutely Lit Up, after he caught a pass over the middle.  The entire staff seemed like we were on the field over him before he hit the ground. After what seemed like hours, we walked him off the field.  Kid could recite the Alphabet backwards, knew his name and where he was at.  He could pass everything I could think of.  I looked at Dad and said its your call.  Dad said he was ok as far as we could tell.  A full quarter later, I reinserted him with dads OK.  4 plays later I removed him for the rest of the game and season.  Did he have a Concussion?  Hell No!  Doctor said he had a severe case of Whiplash!  The head aches and Dizziness were because he suffered Whip Lash!   

Did I feel like a complete JERK!  YES!  WHEN IN DOUBT!  SIT THEM OUT! 

No Plastic Championship Trophy is worth it! 

8)