Spineboard Ice Breakers
From my last post about emergencies and the c-spine injury at the lacrosse tournament, I had it all cleared up with my professor Junior. If anything, I think I am at peace with that situation and that I am glad that EMS took over. However, that moment when the athlete told me that he started feeling weak, I should have reassessed the injury and take the necessary steps if the assessment changes. The next time I assume the role of at the head of a c-spine injury, I vow to myself not to make the same mistake again, and I promise myself with a smile!
This post really is what made me so appreciative of spine boarding not because of the real world scenario and what we should be prepared for, but because of how it brings people together. Practicing spineboarding early during the off-season or whenever necessary creates that mantra of team work and communication.
I remember when I first learned about C-spine injuries was dipping my toes in the athletic training waters at UC Davis. I had no idea what a C-spine injury was and when the athletic trainers taught us and made us perform these emergency skills, my palms were sweating and my heart was racing. The ego embedded in me was telling me not to screw this up because I'll look bad if I do.
But after practicing this frequently with my peers, this aforementioned ego became an open mind. I was open to suggestions, criticisms, things that made me want to look at how other people do it. The spark of bouncing off ideas and how we verbalize commands became the fire of team work. It's important to just set aside your thoughts and focus on the victim that needs you and your peers more than anything else.
Today we were outside on campus getting our hands on different c-spine scenarios, those who were large and those were in different positions, those who had equipment on, etc. No matter what the situation was, it amazes me how we all slowed down and took the time to get the victim on the spine board properly. Although we had a few blips here and there, at least it was practice and we practiced until we had it right.
Aside from this to me being a team building exercise, spineboarding today was a way to get to know my classmates and what they prefer to do when it comes to emergency situations. I am adjusting myself to accommodate people's proactiveness and plethora of technical skills and it really helps me widen my subset tools of C-spine emergency.
Junior said afterwards that it is hard to get spineboarding 100% correct, but the least we can do is practice, practice, and practice and be prepared for the worst.