Since the events of Jan. 2, on Monday Night Football, much has been said about the importance of immediate CPR and defibrillation in treating an athlete experiencing cardiac arrest.
Equally important is the presence of qualified health care providers.
The successful outcome of this event was due in large measure to the response of the Buffalo Bills athletic training staff. It should be noted that the academic preparation and national certifying/state licensing requirements for the Bills staff and a certified athletic trainer working within the high school sport setting are the same.
While the support system available to an NFL athletic training staff far exceeds a high school sport setting, the essential ingredients to this successful outcome would exist at a high school with a certified athletic trainer. They include immediate recognition of the seriousness of the situation, activation of a pre-established emergency action plan in collaboration with a local emergency medical system and team physician, knowledge of how to quickly and safely remove clothing and protective equipment to gain access to the face and chest, and immediate application of CPR and defibrillation.
Every high school in Utah and America should employ at least one certified athletic trainer so that our youngest athletes have the same chance of surviving a serious medical event as a player in the National Football League.
David H. Perrin, Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, College of Health, University of Utah
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