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Medical Emergency Preparation

Are you prepared for a player emergency?

Training & Certification
Sudden Cardio Death
Organizing an Automated Response System
Personal Liabilities – It’s the Law
Common Basketball Injuries
Injury Prevention & Player Safety
Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke

Training & Certification

Is your First Aid and CPR training up to date?

If not, now  is a great time to become current. Training and certification does not take much time and the benefits are priceless. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training is just not a simple matter of meeting a coaching certification requirement. It is a matter of obtaining the knowledge and capability to save the life of one of your players. Coaches should not step on the floor without it.

CAUTION: When undertaking First Aid and CPR training, do not vision yourself of saving a complete stranger’s life and receiving a medal. The life you are going to save is going to be someone close and dear to you (a parent, spouse, child, best friend, one of  your players, etc.)!

Washington State University women’s head basketball coach, June Daugherty, who not only had one of her players survive a cardiac arrest (stoppage of the heart), but also survived a cardiac arrest herself, has reminded HoopTactics just how important it is for not only coaches, but also all players as well, to be trained in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). It was a teammate that administered CPR that saved the life of her former player!

 Online Resources:

Save a Life: View Learn Hands-Only CPR Demo Video (1:10 minutes) Click Here

Learn/Review CPR Online – Free public service supported by the University of Washington School of Medicine – Click Here

American Red Cross First Aid-CPR-AED Classes –  Click Here

Sudden Cardio Death

Do you know that basketball carries the highest risk for Sudden Cardio Death?

Sudden Cardio Death is the number one cause of death among athletes. Recently, a high school player received national media attention when he died after making a game winning shot. This did not only sent shock waves throughout the basketball world, but brought out the concerns of the hidden health dangers faced by young athletes and the importance of coaches being prepared for on the court life threatening emergencies.

In that same week, four other basketball related sudden cardio deaths occurred. In the United States over a 100 sudden cardio deaths occur annually among middle school, high school and college athletes with basketball having the highest risk. That is one every three days. The risk of sudden cardiac death among NCAA Division I male players is 1 in 3,000. The most common cause of sudden cardio related deaths among young athletes is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy a thickening of the heart muscle. This abnormal growth which goes undetected in most cases, can cause cardiac arrest during exertion particularly in young African-American players where the risk is 3X greater than Caucasian players. The risk of sudden cardio death is also 3X greater in males than females.

Sudden Cardio Death Survival

The good news is, if CPR is started and defibrillation applied within the first few minutes of sudden cardio death, the chances of survival are great. Automatic External Defibrillator (AED’s) are now required by law in public malls, airports, and casinos. However, 30 states still do not require them in schools. Fortunately, administrators, foundations and communities are realizing the real need for AED’s and providing a growing number of schools with AED’s. Make sure your school or venue has one available. Proper use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is relatively simple matter and only takes a few minutes to learn. AED’s are practically “dummy” proof. They will only automatically fire (shock) if it is warranted. Note: Coaches’ accessibility after school hours can be a problem that needs to be address.

Screening & Prevention

Since athletic training and competition increases the risk of sudden cardiac death in players with underlying heart disease, the American Heart Association, highly recommends that student/athletes be screened with a careful history, including family history and through physical examination including EKG’s and Echocardiograms. However, testing and screening will not detect all causes of sudden cardio death. Currently, 80% occur with no warning or previous symptoms including family history. Therefore, all coaches must be prepared. This means not only being CPR trained, but also having a plan of action in place.

Minnesota’s “Anyone can save a life” Response Model

Note: This emergency response model is applicable to all basketball programs on all levels, youth through professional, not just high schools. If you are conducting a basketball program on any level, it is your responsibility to have an automated response system in place in the event of an emergency.

Minnesota State High School League has organized a terrific plan to respond to sudden cardiac emergencies. The program named “Anyone Can Save a Life,” empowers coaches to organize their teams into action in the event of an emergency. It requires coaches to spend 10 minutes at the beginning of each team’s season asking questions of his/her team as to how many have been trained in CPR and would they be willing to assist in the event of an emergency if needed? From this dialog, players are then assigned emergency roles. This creates an automatic response system which allows the coach to remain with the victim without having to give direction.

Automated Response System:

1. At least two players are assigned to call 911.

2. At least two players are assigned to run to the athletic trainer’s office.

3. Two players are assigned to know where the nearest AED device is and to go retrieve it.

4. Other players are assigned to go to a pre-determined locations to meet the medics or an ambulance.

After those assignments have been made, the coach fills out a worksheet, which is kept on record in the school’s athletic office. Each team is required to review the assignments periodically during the season.

Printable Medical Emergency Response Assignment Form

While this may seem like just one more thing to add to a coach’s workload, most coaches understand the importance of having a plan and a course of action in place. The chances of a positive and successful outcome in the event of an emergency, far outweighs the added responsibility of a coach of having one more thing to do.

Coaching  Liabilities & Responsibilities

Liability laws have been enacted to protect athletes and to provide for a safe and healthy environment. Failure  to Act Prudently During a Medical Emergency is major coaching responsibility. It is also the coach’s legal responsibility to be aware of any pre-existing health problems their players may possess. Court decisions have held that coaches have the duty to be aware of all players’ physical fitness, medical conditions, and skill level.

Require written proof of physical exams prior to participation along with evidence of medical insurance. In addition, be sure to create a list of players’ emergency phone numbers and keep it available at all times.

 Printable Emergency Phone Numbers Form

CAUTION: Health care providers cannot lawfully render treatment to a patient without consent. When a minor is involved, consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian. Having a “consent form” on file not only expedites medical care, but also provides some protection against a parent’s claim that emergency care was not authorized. Consent forms should list any allergies to medications along with specifying who to notify in the event of a medical emergency.

Common Basketball Injuries

Do you know the proper treatment for  a bloody nose?

Unfortunately in basketball injuries do occur. Each year, more than 1.6 million basketball-related injuries are treated in hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and hospital emergency rooms. Therefore, all coaches, assistants, volunteers, and personal trainers, in addition to having a current first aid & CPR certification, should be alert to treat the following basketball related injuries:

Note: Make sure that a first aid kit and supplies including ice or cold packs are available for every practice and game. Also, make sure that the training or first aid room is accessable. This is especially true during non-school hours.

Head, Neck & Back injuries: Be extremely cautious when it comes to head, neck and back injuries. First aid: take all head, neck and back  injuries seriously. Remove from practice or game immediately and seek medical advice. Requires doctor’s permission before returning to play.

Concussions:  A must read for all coaches, paid or volunteer, on every level of the game!  Click Here >>>

Ankle Sprains: First aid: Ice and elevation (internal bleeding). If/when no ice available tie shoe strings tighter. Do not remove shoe. Serious sprains require x-rays.

Knee Twist: First aid: Ice and elevation. Seek medical evaluation.

Bleeding: Cuts especially around the eye brows (Elbows) First aid: Using gloves apply a sterile gauze pad(s) apply direct pressure and elevation.

Bloody Nose: First aid: Have player sitting down, pinch nose (direct pressure) and lean slightly forward using a towel or sterile gauze pad.

Abrasions (floor burns): First Aid: wash with soap and water. Cover loosely.

Dislocations: Fingers, shoulder First aid: immobilize and transport. Do NOT try to relieve dislocation.

Jammed finger or thumb: First aid: apply ice. Tape injured finger to adjacent finger by rapping two thin pieces of tape between joints. Do NOT tape over a joint.

Heat Exhaustion (excessive sweating): First Aid: Cool down immediately and give water. Do not put back into game. Heat exhaustion can progress into life threatening heat stroke.

Muscle Cramps: First aid: apply direct pressure. Once relieve, massage or knead. Adnominal cramps are serious seek medical assistance immediately.

Contusions and Bruises: First Aid: apply ice to injured area (internal bleeding).

Strains & Muscle Pulls: Growing, Thighs, Hamstrings First Aid: Ice

Knocked Out Tooth: First Aid: Jam tooth back into position and transport to dentist. If tooth, cannot be held in place in mouth, put it into cold water or milk. Dental injuries are all too common among young athletes, especially those playing basketball and baseball. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, more than 3 million teeth will be knocked out in youth sporting events in the United States this year.

Youth Basketball – Minor bumps, falls, and pride injuries: First Aid: Take to water fountain and have them drink or rub some “Holy Water” on injury.

CAUTION Do not use elastic bandages except for holding on ice bags. Elastic bandages can cut off circulation and form blood clots which can be life threatening.

Injury Prevention & Player Safety

Player safety is an awesome responsibility and liability that is inherited with basketball coaching. It includes facility and equipment usage, proper skill & technique instructions, educating players, warming up & cooling down, and providing sufficient player rest during practice or games.

Facilities & Equipment Usage

Learn to be cognizant of potential dangers and hazards around the court area at all times.  Prior to any practice, game or open gym, make sure the facility is safe. Adhere to the first aid adage, “Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Learn to be cognizant of potential dangers and hazards around the court area at all times. Double check to see that all standards are stowed out of the way, balls remained picked up, water is not on the floor, etc.

Make routine equipment inspections. Baskets and boundary lines should not be too close to walls, bleachers, water fountains, or other structures. Goals, as well as the walls  behind them, should be padded.

List and post rules & warnings for equipment usage especially in weight rooms.  Have all equipment installed and repaired by qualified personnel only. Make sure that a first aid kit and supplies including ice or cold packs are available for practices as well as games.

Provide Proper Skill & Technique Instruction

Coaches must follow the accepted practices for teaching specific basketball skills and techniques. Certain drills and other methods that are standard for basketball instruction should be followed. It is especially important that coaches focus on the more hazardous areas of basketball training, such as proper techniques for taking a charge or diving for a loose balls.

Coaches should constantly update their coaching knowledge and expertise by attending classes, seminars, clinics and through online resources such as HoopTactics. If coaching certification is required, keep it up to date.

Player  Guidelines for Injury Prevention

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons offers the following 12 recommendations and ways for players to prevent basketball injuries:

1. Always take time to warm up and stretch. Research studies have shown that cold muscles are more prone to injury.
2. Play only your position and know where other players are on the court to reduce the chance of collisions.
3. Avoid contact. Do not ever hold, block, push, charge, or     trip an opponent. Know the proper technique to “give” a foul at the end of a game.
4. Use proper techniques for taking charges and diving for loose balls.
5. Select basketball shoes that fit snugly, offer support, and are non-skid. Cotton socks can absorb perspiration and also give added support  to the foot. Be sure to lace up shoes tightly.
6. Protective knee and elbow pads will protect you from bruises and abrasions. Use  ankle braces to reduce the incidence of ankle sprains.
7. Use a mouth guard to protect your teeth and mouth.  If you wear glasses, use safety glasses or glass guards protect your eyes.
8. Do not wear jewelry or chew gum during practice or games.
9. Avoid playing tired. Take water breaks and rest as needed. Fatigue not only cuts down on performance, but also drastically increases the chances of injury.
10. Outdoor courts should be free of rocks, holes, and other hazards. Inside courts should be clean, free of debris, and have good traction.
11. When playing outside, environmental conditions must be considered. Players should avoid playing in extreme weather or on courts that are  not properly lighted in the evening.
12. Be knowledgeable about first aid and be able to administer it for minor injuries, such as facial cuts, bruises, abrasions, along with minor tendinitis, strains,  or sprains.

 Proper Warm Up

Starting a strenuous physical activity, such as basketball, without proper warm-up is detrimental to athletic performance and health. The purpose of  a warm-up is to prepare for muscular activity, and is not an exhausting activity to bring on fatigue. It should be composed mainly of stretching and  light running exercises. It should be of sufficient duration and intensity to adequately prepare players for the physical demands of the game or work-out.

Cooling Down

Cooling down and/or stretching after practice can be more beneficial to injury prevention than stretching at the start of practice. Think about ending  workouts and practices by making 10 consecutive free throws. For younger players make 10 free throws.

 Sufficient Player Rest

It is imperative to provide  players with ample rest during a game or practice. This is especially true when participating in big games and tournaments. In practice, be sure to follow  strenuous drills with water breaks or light  drills such as shooting.

Playing tired not only reduces a player’s performance and effectiveness, but more importantly, increases their chance of injury. When tired, players are more apt to lose their balance along with the ability to avoid contact.

A great substitution rule to use in order to encourage players to hard at all times along with preventing players from hitting the fatigue “wall” along with removing any fear or doubt of not getting back into the game:

If players take them selves out of game (by tugging on shirt) they get to put themselves back into the game when ready. If coach makes the substitution, then coach will make decision when to sub back into the game.

Note: when subbing back into the game, player may not necessary go back in for player who replaced them.

Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke

Players can overheat by doing too much, too fast or enduring too long.  Be vigilant for  heavy sweating since it is a major symptom of heat exhaustion and early sign of heat stroke. Heat stroke is the third most common cause of death among athletes. Therefore, it is imperative to remove and immediately cool any player from competition  or practice suspected of having any signs of heat exhaustion or stroke. Heat stroke has a 100% survival rate when a player is cooled down within the first ten minutes. However, the mortality rate increases tremendously with time. In just 30 to 40 minutes the survival rate is less than 40%.

With heat exhaustion, once cooled down and feeling better, players will want to resume play or practice. However, do not ever allow them to return. They are finished for the day since continue participation can result in life threating heat stroke.

CAUTION: Over motivated coaches can also greatly contribute to player injuries and heat stroke by overtraining players. Do not run a “Boot Camp” by pushing players too hard and running them into the ground the first few days of practice. This will only result in sore, achy muscles that will be detrimental and hinder player performance and learning over the next few weeks. Basketball conditioning is best done over a period time using full court drills. You want your team in the best physical shape at the end of the season when it counts, not the first week of practice.

 

Coming Next: Try-Outs, Player Evaluation & Squad Selection