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first responders through the Red Cross and subsequently places medical staff with teams. “We receive emergency medical training at CMCC during Year III and those who choose to follow a residency path, like Taylor and myself, receive additional training. However, some health care professionals who work with teams, often don’t seek additional training. We’ve seen enough scenarios to know how important it is not only for team medics to have quality initial training, but to keep it fresh with re-certification.” “Our clinic, SportSide Medical Services,” continues Chrobak, “is inside a hockey arena and we often get requests for medical staff to work with the hockey teams on site. At first, we found it difficult to source a program that would suit the high level of knowledge chiropractors already have, so we began to offer emergency first responder training for health professionals which includes clinical information along with emergency care knowledge. This approach has been great as it builds upon the extensive existing knowledge course registrants have and also ensures teams have fully qualified and exceptionally competent first responders as trainers.” Tuff was one of the first trainers Chrobak placed. Dr. Rachel Ramsay and student Darcy Worthylake, also
trained by Chrobak, were on the field that day. The right equipment Hearing the story, it’s hard to imagine the outcome would have been as successful without certified first responders or without an AED. “You can buy an AED for about $1,200,” says Tuff. “But a lot of teams don’t make it a top priority, and assume they may never need one. The truth is, when combined with CPR, using an AED increases survival from cardiac arrest by 75%.” “Commotio cordis is more difficult to treat, but having qualified first responders who start CPR early and who have access to an AED has increased the survival rate for commotio cordis from 10% to 58%1.”
The importance of qualified first responders and access to an AED is clear. The Aurora Barbarians’ decision to keep a defibrillator on site, combined with fully-trained team doctors, saved a life that day. The opposing team, to which the young player belongs, purchased an AED following the incident. He made a full recovery, by the way. Despite having no pulse for an astounding 17 minutes, welltrained team doctors and a nearby defibrillator ensured that he’ll have a second chance to fulfill his potential. Maron BJ, Haas TS, Ahluwalia A, Garberich RF, Estes NA 3rd, Link MS. Increasing survival rate from commotio cordis. Heart Rhythm. 2013 Feb. 10(2):219-23 1
WINTER 2016