Anaphylaxis and Asthma
The Big Three: Concussions, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and the Heat. These three issues receive the lions share of attention when it comes to youth sports safety and deservedly so. BUT, there are other extremely important safety issues including Anaphylaxis and Asthma.
Anaphylaxis is severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you are allergic to, like food (milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, shellfish), insect stings, medications and latex. There have been cases caused by breathing the air when cycling through an almond orchard and consuming sparkling water!
An asthma attack can be triggered by smoke, pollution, mold, and pets. When it comes to exercise, the proper term is exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Dry and cold air can cause the airway to narrow and bring on an attack. The attack may not occur or be at its worst during exercise, it may be worst 5 to 10 minutes after stopping exercise.
Does your child need an EpiPen® or Asthma Inhaler?
For the parent: Who has the EpiPen® or Asthma Inhaler? Is your child young, say under 12, so do you carry it? If you do carry it for your child, are you at EVERY game and EVERY practice? If not, where is the device? If you cannot be present ALL the time with the device, have you discussed this with the coach and organization? Have you decided that it may be in the best interest of your child to have the coach carry and/or administer the drug when you are not present? If yes, have you reviewed, in detail, where it will be kept and how to administer it? Does the coach have an immediately available reference on how to use it (because they will likely forget)? Did you sign a consent form that clearly states your preferences with regard to both carrying and administering the drug?
Why is this so important? Because research shows that less than 20% of patients who need one of these devices know how to use it correctly! Most health care professionals incorrectly used an asthma inhaler almost 85% of the time and require significant training to maintain their skill.
For the coach: First, do you know what an EpiPen® is? Do you know how many kids on your team require an EpiPen® or Asthma Inhaler? Do you have immediate access to who needs one, how to use it, how to document and real time communicate its use?
For the administrator: Do you know how many kids in your organization require one of these? Do you have this documented and easily accessed? Do you have a signed consent from the parent with regard to carrying and administration? Do you provide training for your coaches (as they do in schools to teachers)?
Is everyone involved realizing that a SYSTEM is required so EVERYONE is on the same page, fully informed, fully educated, has a plan of action, a way to document and communicate?
Read two stories: tragedy and tragedy
What does anaphylaxis look like? Watch this video.
How to Use an EpiPen® (hold in for 3 seconds)
How to Use an Asthma Inhaler
Administrators, coaches, parents, are you going to wait until these horrific tragedies happen in your organization before you implement a safety system which protects the kids, educates your coaches, and provides the very best risk mitigation strategy?
Schedule a free 30 minute safety and risk assessment with Dr. Steve Horwitz, CEO and Founder of TeamSafe®Sports and prepare today!
Click here: calendly.com/drstevenhorwitz
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