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First responders: concussions no easy task
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Wednesday, 23 May 2012 21:54

First responders: concussions no easy task

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SEQUIM, Wash. -- Battle-tested and a little weary from last fall’s high school football season, Travis Anderson, an experienced EMT and paramedic John Riley, understand the nuances of concussions. Athletes who — if they are conscious – say they are ‘fine,’ coaches who may not be sure an athlete needs medical attention, and parents told by ER staff that rest is the prescription for recovery, trying to make sense of the mountain of hospital medical bills.

They’ve seen it all, and it’s not easy.

First responders like Anderson and Riley from Clallam County Fire District #3 in Sequim, Wash., are a luxury for school districts around the country. Part of a crew made up of paid staff and volunteers, they wait in the corners until given the signal by a coach or referee, or a player goes down and stays there.

Like other on-field personnel they can’t see every impact and don’t always know if an athlete is deteriorating on the bench after a big hit. They depend on an educated coaching staff and fellow teammates for their cues.

Anderson said,”We’d like to be called sooner rather than later. If there’s any question, especially with a suspected concussion, call us.”

Too little care

Only about 42 percent of high schools nationally employ athletic trainers, a dismal number in the eyes of many concussion experts who continue to advise against any school district or private organization offering contact sports without proper sideline medical care.

Given the budget crises facing many school districts, it is not surprising so few heed this advice.

But the challenges in rural areas are even greater. Long distances separate football fields from hospitals and fire stations can serve several high schools. Resources are simply too lean.

Many sports-related concussions

“Our fire department provides sideline staff for high school football games, and as many junior varsity games as we can. We consider it part of our community service effort and quite frankly, we feel strongly about protecting our student-athletes and their futures,” said District #3’s Fire Chief, Steve Vogel. His first responders have been on the sidelines at Sequim School District's games since 1982.

Chief Vogel’s staff has a long history dealing with sports concussions. Former Sequim football player Adrien Gault suffered a catastrophic brain injury during a game in 2006 and was airlifted to a Seattle trauma center where doctors gave him a four-percent chance of survival. He continues to work through his recovery.

This past fall, a Sequim student suffered a brain aneurysm during a Friday afternoon PE class and died a few days later. That same Friday there were six significant concussions on the football field a few hundred yards away, said a well-informed source, turning the field into a war zone.

Fire District #3 was there for it all. “There were more concussions during that one game than I’ve seen in my entire career, including my time as a running back in high school,” said Anderson. “It was a rarity.”

Neither he nor Riley, who played tight end in high school remember suffering concussions during their football careers. They believe they’re seeing so many due to increased awareness trickling down from the NFL. Anderson said, “I think the attention on the concussion issue in the NFL is having an affect on all levels of the game, all the way down to the youngest players.”

Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC)

Guidelines and training for first responders come in the form of online education modules and concussion-related drills practiced several times a year.

Soon-to-be-released state protocols developed by emergency room physicians, critical care nurses, EMTs, and others who make up the state committee of the federal Emergency Medical Services for Children program include a sports-concussion guide for first responders. Upon distribution, this document will provide a handy reference for those who attend youth and high school athletic events.

“The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program works to ensure proper pediatric care is available on ambulances and in hospital emergency departments nationwide,” said Ian Weston, Co-Director of the EMSC program headquartered in suburban Wash. D.C. “Emergency care providers are integral in ensuring our children get the right care when it counts.”

When to call 911

Concussion symptoms can be subtle and may not appear right away, leaving room for mistakes to be made if athletes are not properly monitored when a concussion is suspected. The following are symptoms that require a call for emergency evaluation:

•headaches that worsen

•seizures

•neck pain

•very drowsy, can't be awakened

•repeated vomiting

•increasing confusion or irritability

•weakness, numbness in arms and legs

•unable to recognize people/places, less responsive than usual

For more information see Should we call 911?, signs and symptoms


Photo: (L) John Riley (firefighter/paramedic); (R) Travis Anderson (firefighter/EMT)

Questions/comments? contact Jean Rickerson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Last modified on Thursday, 24 May 2012 17:29
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