OVERVIEW
This is not your typical live course! There is a recognized gap between the theoretical knowledge of sports emergency care held by athletic trainers and the practical ability to apply this knowledge effectively in real-life situations. This gap often results in delayed or inappropriate responses to emergencies, potentially leading to adverse outcomes for athletes. The "Pit Crew" Sports Emergency Care Course aims to bridge this gap by providing hands-on, realistic training experiences that enhance the practical skills and decision-making abilities of athletic trainers in emergency situations.
You will improve! Upon completion of the "Pit Crew" Sports Emergency Care Course, participants will demonstrate a significant improvement in their emergency care skills, particularly in patient assessment, critical intervention, and effective teamwork under pressure. This will lead to more efficient and effective emergency responses in athletic settings, ultimately improving patient outcomes and safety in sports. The course ensures that BOC-certified athletic trainers are equipped with the latest best practices in sports emergency medicine, aligning clinical skills with the demanding needs of athletic emergency care.
The course starts with the opportunity to practice skills that each participant has identified for improvement, which includes performance checks with the instructors.
During each lab session participants will at least 4-8 mini-mocks (aka "scenarios") each mini-mock runs 3-9 minutes with structured discussion and review).
Key Features of this Course
- Small groups (3-4 person) ensure extensive hands-on practice.
- Work through 24 different emergency scenarios.
- Feedback, review, and debrief sessions insure progressive improvement.
- Improve emergency care skills outlined by BOC Practice Analysis.
- Develop competence and confidence in uncommon on-field emergency situations.
- Receive a post-course Performance Report to use for continual improvement.
Who is this event for?
- BOC Athletic Trainers
FAQs
FAQs
Here are several common questions we receive about this course.
Participants will be assigned to a small group (3-4 persons) who will work together for the day. Below are the following emergency scenarios all participants will participate in:
Conscious Patient:
- General chest pain, + Interventions
- General abdominal pain, + Interventions
- General head pain
- Altered mental status, + Interventions
Unconscious Patient
- Supine, No pulse/no breathing + Interventions
- Prone to supine, with emesis + Interventions
- Prone to supine with severe bleeding + Interventions
- Prone to supine emesis and SMR + Interventions
Medical Specific:
- Respiratory distress-Hyperventilation
- Respiratory distress-Asthma
- Diabetic-Hypolycemic
- Allergic Reaction
- Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS)
- Seizures
- Syncope
- Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
Trauma Specific:
- Upper extremity trauma (splint)
- Lower extremity trauma (splint)
- Incision to the forearm, profuse bleeding
- Orbital Blowout Fracture
- Finger, possible fracture/subluxation
- Abdominal Contusion + Respiratory Distress
- Head Laceration + SMR Precautions
- Equipment-removal techniques with Spine Motion Restriction (SMR)
The course includes AM and PM individual skills sessions. Instructors will be working 1-on-1 and in small groups to reinforce the skill performance. Below are the skills that will be practiced and performed in the initial skills sessions and/or as a part of all 24 scenarios ("mini-mocks"):
Your Instructors
Ray Castle, PhD, LAT, ATC, NREMT
A 1990 graduate of LSU, Castle has an extensive background in education, clinical practice, and professional service spanning over 32 years. Dr. Castle's clinical practice background has included experiences at the high school, college, and international (1996 Atlanta Olympic Games; USOC Sports Medicine Staff for 2003 Pan American Games; and 2004 US Women's Bobsled) levels, large-scale medical coverage and coordination, as well as extensive experience in emergency medicine.
Castle is nationally known and recognized for his skills and contributions to advancing the athletic training profession and advocacy for sports health and safety through 200+ presentations, research projects, and publications. He has served in various leadership roles in state, regional, and national organizations, as well as the recipient of numerous awards and accolades.
After a 20-year stay at LSU where he was Professor and Athletic Training Program Director, Castle transitioned in August 2022 to devote his energy and passion to Action Medicine Consultants, LLC, as Owner and Chief Medical Officer since 2012. His company provides sports medicine event coordination; emergency medicine and response training; EAP development and audits for organizations; and continuing education courses. One of his most recent activities was serving as a consultant for the Louisiana High School Athletics Association in the development and implementation of its Pre-Game Administrative Conference (PAC), or “medical time-out” program. He currently serves as medical coordinator for over 40 large-scale events in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
Ronnie Harper, EdD, LAT, ATC, NREMT
Dr. Ronnie Harper, Ed.D., LAT, ATC, NREMT, stands out as a prominent leader and advisor in the Athletic Training profession, offering his expertise on both local and national scales. Serving as a key member of the NATA Secondary School Committee for District IX, Ronnie's influential efforts played a pivotal role in the inception of the Athletic Training Location and Services Project (ATLAS) and the Safe Sports School Awards (SSSA). Furthermore, he's a principal author for the NATA's Appropriate Medical Care Standards document and its associated online tool, which serves as guidance for ensuring adequate medical care for Secondary School Aged Athletes.
With a distinguished 15-year career in higher education, Dr. Harper has tenure at institutions such as Mississippi State University, the University of Alabama, and Southeastern Louisiana University. During his tenure at Southeastern Louisiana University, he was appointed as the Assistant Professor and spearheaded their CAATE Accredited Athletic Training Education Program. An alumnus of Mississippi State University, Ronnie boasts both a bachelor's and master’s degree from there, and furthered his academic pursuits with a Doctorate in Education from the University of Alabama, specializing in Health and Human Performance Studies.
His dedication to the field also extends to active participation in the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association (LATA), notably contributing to the Hall of Fame committee. His remarkable achievement of being inducted into the LATA Hall of Fame in 2013 stands as a testament to his dedication and commitment. This dedication was further recognized in 2018 when he was honored with the District IX High School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.
Continuing Education Credits Available
9.75 BOC Category A CEU for athletic trainers will be available after this live in-person course. This course includes an online components completed before (0.25 hours) and post-course (0.5 hours). After completion of the course, as well as post-course self-inventory and post-course assessment, the participant will receive the CEU certificate.
BOC Practice Domains:
- Domain II - Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis
- Domain III - Critical Incident Response
- Domain IV - Therapeutic Interventions
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The "Pit Crew" Sports Emergency Care Course is designed for BOC-certified athletic trainers to enhance their proficiency in emergency medicine relevant to athletic settings. This immersive, full-day workshop simulates real-life emergency situations in sports through hands-on labs and team-based scenarios. Participants are divided into small groups, each taking on roles within a simulated emergency response team, to practice patient assessments and interventions in a variety of settings. The course emphasizes foundational emergency medicine skills, teamwork, communication, and quick, effective decision-making, reflecting the dynamics of a well-coordinated "pit crew." Prior to the course, participants are required to assess their own skill levels to prepare for intensive learning and practice.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this live webinar program, participants will be able to:
- Enhance foundational knowledge and skills in emergency medicine applicable to athletic environments, focusing on scene size-up, primary and secondary patient assessments, and ongoing assessment.
- Develop and refine the ability to perform critical interventions in various emergency scenarios, including medical crises and traumatic injuries.
- Foster effective communication and teamwork among athletic trainers in high-pressure situations, emphasizing the roles of lead, patient, partner, and facilitator/recorder within the "pit crew" training model.
- Evaluate and improve individual and team performance in emergency care through structured feedback and group review sessions.
- Ensure proficiency in emergency medical care through intensive hands-on scenarios, self- and peer-evaluations, debriefs, group discussion, and post-course assessment, guaranteeing participants leave with a heightened ability to respond to athletic emergencies confidently and competently.
