Week One Reflection

This week I learned about many things like taping an ankle, how to manage environmental situations, emergency situations, orthopedic management, CPR and airways, injury assessment, c-spine stabilization. Then on the last two days of the week, Chris was gone for a wedding, so I did some research on my own about the lack of ATs in high schools. I shadowed Austin, one of my committee members, on lacrosse games Friday and Saturday. For taping an ankle, I not only learned how, but also how each piece of tape placed down serves a purpose. For environmental situations, I learned more about how to prevent heat stroke/illness, the signs leading up to heat stroke, and how to manage a case of heat stroke and hypothermia. For emergency situations, I learned what my role is in case of an emergency, because I am not licensed or getting my license to become an AT, I would take a lesser role, like calling EMS, grabbing the AED, getting what the ATs need, and waving down EMS to show them where they need to be. For orthopedic management, I learned how to use different types of splints, like a Sam splint, a vacuum splint, and a traction splint. For CPR, I didn’t really learn much more than I already knew from earlier in the year, but it was a refresher, which was what I definitely needed. But for airways, I learned a lot, like what and how to use NPAs, OPAs, and iGels. For injury assessment, I relearned the history questions, observations, palpitations, range of motion, and special tests. For c-spine stabilization, I wasn’t able to do much besides help the feet during log rolls. During the Boys Varsity Lacrosse game, I learned that if something were to happen on field, and there was only one AT and me, I would go out with them to help, which, even though that case would be rare, I oddly felt appreciated and needed.

I really liked practicing taping, in fact it was probably my favorite, but if I was able to do more during the c-spine stabilization, then it definitely would have been my favorite. But I also enjoyed talking about emergency situations; part of the reason why I enjoyed talking about it so much was because we had the lecture outside, and it was such a nice day out that day.

I did have some expectations of being able to do more hands-on things, but that was definitely unrealistic, considering the fact that emergency situations rarely happen, and when they do, I would not be able to be a first responder.

Some benefits from this week have been being able to have one-on-one opportunities to relearn some of what I learned during Sports Medicine. Like taping, CPR, and talking through emergency situations.

For my taping goals, I am not sure that I will be able to achieve them this week or possibly at all, partly because I had a much higher expectation of what I would be able to do, partly because it takes me awhile to get a single tape job done in order to make it not bumpy and also because I have not done enough practice to be able to do it for an actual athlete. I am also not sure if I will be able to identify an injury. I just hope that even though I might not be able to complete my goals, that I will still be able to pass senior project