Why Coaches Should be Trained in How to Handle Medical Emergencies
Sports have always been a big part of people’s lives, particularly in America. Competitive games and sports date back to ancient times when men used to create games to compete in, at times with the ending at the death of their opponent. Fortunately, that is illegal today but many men, women, and children like participating in various sports. Many do it to channel their energy and competitiveness, some do it to stay in shape and lose weight and some do it for the love of the sport. No matter what level athlete you are, a good coach is an important component of athletics.
Young kids need a coach to teach them how to master a skill or how to play the game, professional athletes need capable coaches to make sure that they are playing at their highest capable ability. Coaches today are required to have a huge amount of experience in addition to an education in the sport that they coach. The one component, however, that is not required of all coaches is to be certified to know and use CPR Supplies & the use of a AED (Automatic External Defibrillator). This is one to several things coaches should be trained in today.
Sports are beginning at much younger ages these days and the level of competition is also greater at a young age too. Kids are participating in sports year round instead of a different one each season. Because of this, more people are participating in sports now than 20 years ago. With that increased population, comes increased risk to the athletes playing. More injuries are happening in sports as athletes push themselves harder than they ever used to. Many younger athletes have seen how lucrative a career in professional sports is and want that for themselves. Because of that pressure to excel in sports, athletes, parents and coaches are feeling the need to push themselves more than is healthy. This is exactly why it is so imperative for coaches to be trained to handle various medical emergencies.
Coaches need to take classes in basic first aid and CPR as a start. It is required for a teacher so why is it not required for coaches who push their athletes so hard? They should be trained in basic first aid techniques dealing with sprains, broken bones, cuts,etc. More importantly, they should learn CPR and how to use CPR Supplies and a AED in case an athlete can’t breathe and collapses. Immediately starting CPR can actually save someone’s life in those important first moments before the ambulance arrives. All coaches should also have the equipment to revive someone who has passed out.
Several years ago a young strong college basketball player collapsed on the court and died. If they had used an AED they could have used it to save his life. Another better ending is a story of a teenage girl who was playing softball one summer evening. She was hit by lightning on the field and the coach used the AED and CPR supplies on her and restarted her heart and saved her life.
