Survey says.....

[grunewar]

I was doing a girls AAU Tourney this past weekend when a point guard was driving hard to the basket, slipt and fell and went down hard on the back of her head. She was down for several minutes with only the coach administering to her.

My P and I stood back and sent the teams to their benches, but kept them on the floor.

As the player finally recovered and got to her feet, the coach began to escort her to the bench. Her dad came around the side of the court and then to the endline to help her off the court and to go to the bathroom and outside for some fresh air.

TWEET. Game back on.

I know we've had this discussion before, but under these circumstances, I don't think I would have done anything if dad/mom came on the court to administer to their injured child.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by grunewar

I was doing a girls AAU Tourney this past weekend when a point guard was driving hard to the basket, slipt and fell and went down hard on the back of her head. She was down for several minutes with only the coach administering to her.

My P and I stood back and sent the teams to their benches, but kept them on the floor.

As the player finally recovered and got to her feet, the coach began to escort her to the bench. Her dad came around the side of the court and then to the endline to help her off the court and to go to the bathroom and outside for some fresh air.

TWEET. Game back on.

I know we've had this discussion before, but under these circumstances, I don't think I would have done anything if dad/mom came on the court to administer to their injured child.

My last weekend of AAU basketball a kid landed on his head and most definitely suffered a concussion. Sent the players to the their benches (to sit down if they so desired) and then advised the coaches that there was absolutely no rush at all to get the player up. We then stood back from the activity until the player was removed from the court. One adult from the stands came on the court to tend to the hurt player. I didn't concern myself one bit with that person.

[DLH17]

7th grade summer league last week - kid playing defense moving full speed one direction and stops suddenly by putting all his weight on right leg at a tough angle. Knee buckles. Goes down on the spot in pain. Coach is summomed, players sent to direction of bench and told to stay on floor. A few moments after the coach starts talking to the kid, my partner kneels down and IDs himself as some type of full time rescue personnel. The dad nods and partner starts asking the kid if he can help him be more comfortable by turning his foot and straightening his leg so the kid could lay down. About that time, dad says "well, this guy here (standing next to him) is an ER doc". Partner immed defers.

You know, I've always been instructed to never touch a kid who is injured in any way. NEVER.

So, this situation was interesting because we had coach, dad and ER doc friend on floor AND partner was trying to assist.

I was OK with coach, dad, ER doc friend...not so comfy with partner. Maybe I'm out of line - I don't know. That partner was 10 years my senior in both age and experience so I just let him do his thing and stayed out of the way.

[Adam]

I believe there are certain professional ethics of being an EMT that would trump our best practices. If the ER doc hadn't been present, your partner may well have been the most medically qualified person in the building. I've got no issue with a partner rendering medical assistance when it fits his qualifications until on-duty medical personnel arrive.

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I believe there are certain professional ethics of being an EMT that would trump our best practices. If the ER doc hadn't been present, your partner may well have been the most medically qualified person in the building. I've got no issue with a partner rendering medical assistance when it fits his qualifications until on-duty medical personnel arrive.

The fact he identified himself as a qualified professional and the dad nodding did help reduce the awkward factor - though there was still some uncertainty in me. The kid turned out ok....sat in the bleacher the rest of the game with his leg elevated and limped off the court after the game on him own. I guess, that's the most important thing.

As I read this thread and reflect on personal experiences, I wonder if doing much more than fetching ice or finding a clean towel puts us in a situation of more risk than we really want in most injury situations, regardless of our professional merits off the court.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by DLH17

The fact he identified himself as a qualified professional and the dad nodding did help reduce the awkward factor - though there was still some uncertainty in me. The kid turned out ok....sat in the bleacher the rest of the game with his leg elevated and limped off the court after the game on him own. I guess, that's the most important thing.

As I read this thread and reflect on personal experiences, I wonder if doing much more than fetching ice or finding a clean towel puts us in a situation of more risk than we really want in most injury situations, regardless of our professional merits off the court.

I don't know if it is true in every state, but in IL at least there is a Good Samaratin law that says someone cannot be sued if something goes wrong when they are simply trying to help an injured person. Of course, if there are qualified individuals available, then by all means step aside and let them do what they can. And if the player is in no immediate danger, I won't be stepping in right away because I don't have any real medical training, other than CPR.

But we shouldn't be automatically afraid to help, simply because we might cause some possible unknown harm. And if a partner of mine told me they were trained in first aid, I would gladly let them step in with out giving it a second thought.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I don't know if it is true in every state, but in IL at least there is a Good Samaratin law that says someone cannot be sued if something goes wrong when they are simply trying to help an injured person. Of course, if there are qualified individuals available, then by all means step aside and let them do what they can. And if the player is in no immediate danger, I won't be stepping in right away because I don't have any real medical training, other than CPR.

But we shouldn't be automatically afraid to help, simply because we might cause some possible unknown harm. And if a partner of mine told me they were trained in first aid, I would gladly let them step in with out giving it a second thought.

I was also under the impression that some states have laws requiring those qualified as EMTs to stop and render assistance in emergencies. Now, whether your partners qualifications indeed subject him to such requirements in your state is a question, as is whether the situation described qualifies as such a situation.

Often times, however, professional ethics go farther than state law requirements. Add to that the understanding that your partner may have simply felt obligated to offer his assistance, thinking he was the most qualified.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by DLH17

The fact he identified himself as a qualified professional and the dad nodding did help reduce the awkward factor - though there was still some uncertainty in me. The kid turned out ok....sat in the bleacher the rest of the game with his leg elevated and limped off the court after the game on him own. I guess, that's the most important thing.

I will add that in summer ball, he may well be the most qualified person in the building. During the HS season in a sanctioned HS game, he most likely will not be the most qualified person present. At a college campus, I'd be willing to bet he's not even close.

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I will add that in summer ball, he may well be the most qualified person in the building. During the HS season in a sanctioned HS game, he most likely will not be the most qualified person present. At a college campus, I'd be willing to bet he's not even close.

Right. Good point.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by grunewar

...

My P and I stood back and sent the teams to their benches, but kept them on the floor.

Originally Posted by DLH17

.... Coach is summomed, players sent to direction of bench and told to stay on floor.

Why?

You've got a potentially inflamatory situation with the injury. You have a delay of unknown length...but if you've sent them to the bench area, you already have decided it is not going to be quick. For all practical purposes, this is an intermission/timeout. Let them sit if they wish.