”Woodsy’s Trainers Page”
October 13th Entry

SUBJECT: WEEK 7 ENTRY HOW TO PREVENT YOUNG PLAYERS FROM DYING

When discussing with Keith the idea of writing a weekly entry, it was with the goal that if we could help one player
prevent an injury, stay healthy or enhance their career that would be great. 

WELL AFTER READING ABOUT THE NEW YORK RANGERS TOP DRAFT PICK ALEXI CHEREPANOV COLLAPSING AND DYING DURING A RUSSIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE GAME AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 19 AND MIKEY RENAUD A 19 YEAR OLD THAT PLAYED FOR KEITH'S FORMER TEAMMATE BOB BOUGHNER IN WINSOR COLLAPSED AND DIED LAST YEAR AS WELL, I KEPT THINKING WHAT COULD TEAMS, LEAGUES, COACHES, PARENTS, TRAINERS OR ANYONE DO TO HELP THESE YOUNG ATHELTES?
 
FIRST - PREVENTION--
  Make sure no matter the age your young athlete gets a complete CARDIO WORK-UP. 
   BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS ( A normal blood pressure would be 120/80). 
   EKGS (The cardiac impulse that stimulates muscle contractions is an electrical signal. This electrical signal can be
                   measured by placing electrodes on the chest and to a recording device). 
   ECHOCARDIOGRAM - (Gives a full view of the chambers of the heart and allows doctors to see how the blood
                                               goes in and out of the heart and its valves).
 
SECOND - BE PREPARED -
  None of us want an emergency to happen but if it does are you prepared to help save a life?
  A. TAKE A CPR COURSE - This is the first basic step to help save a life and it takes 4 - 6 hours.
  B. MAKE SURE A DEFIBRILLATOR OR AED IS PRESENT AT ALL SPORTING EVENTS - This device delivers a shock
      to the heart and allows the rhythm to return and gives the person a fighting chance until advanced care can be given.
  C. HAVE A AMBULANCE WITH EMTS AND PARAMEDICS PRESENT AT GAMES
        (IN THE ALEXI CHEREPANOV CASE THE ambulance left the game early and there was not a AED at the arena).
  D. HAVE A PLAN IF A EMERGENCY SHOULD DEVELOP
           WHO will call 911
           WHO will meet the rescue personnel and show them where to go
           WHO will attend the injured or stricken athlete
           WHO will get the AED to the scene (Everyone with the team should know where these are kept in each building:
                      coaches and parents locate these upon arrival at each building) .

This is probably the most serious and important article I have shared with you all.

PLEASE REVIEW IT,
DISCUSS WITH YOUR ATHLETES AND FAMILY,
KNOW HOW TO ACT, 
AND KNOW WHERE THE PROPER EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT IS KEPT...
FAST THINKING AND FAST ACTION CAN SAVE A LIFE AND GIVE PEOPLE A FIGHTING CHANCE ...
LET’S NOT LOSE ANOTHER ATHLETE AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE

FOR COACHES
Educate your teams ... What to do in an emergency - Where the emergency equipment is kept

FOR PLAYERS
Let Coaches or Parents know if
           You feel dizzy or lightheaded,
           Your heart is racing or skipping a beat,
           You have trouble breathing or catching your breath,
           You feel a pain down your left arm or in your shoulder blade
                  (sometimes heart issues can be confused with indigestion).

...BE PREPARED
 
Please take the time to review this and every article and if you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line at
   DWoods@DurhamHockeyInstitute.com or at  DWOODSY2@AOL.COM
 
HAVE A GREAT WEEK, BE PREPARED, KNOW WHAT TO DO IN A EMERGENCY,
KNOW WHERE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT IS AND DO IT!!!

DONNY WOODS ATC EMT LMT