[daves]

Originally posted by Mark Dexter

That's true, but officials only need to determine that a player is "apparently unconscious." Since few of us are medical professionals, unconscious can be broadly interpreted, if you get my drift .

BTW, daves, as an ER RN, do you ever get involved when a player has a serious injury and there are no EMTs on site?

I have fortunately never witnessed a serious injury or illness while officiating. I have on many occasions seen the sprained ankles and various other bumps and bruises. In situations such as that I rarely intervene as a health care professional, except to instruct someone to get ice or something of that nature. The only time I would lay a hand on a player is in the case of cardiac or respiratory arrest, a head or neck injury or if there was uncontrollable bleeding. I have on occasion had asthmatic player have problems during the game. If I see it, I will immediately blow the whistle and stop the game. I will send the player to the bench to get treatment.