--SUPERS --
:21- :25
Jon Almquist, ATC
Fairfax County Athletics Adm.

:52-:58
Jon Almquist, ATC
Fairfax County Athletics Adm.

1:02-1:07
Brett Gustman
Head Athletic Trainer, Fairfax H.S.

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School athletics is not always fun and games. In some situations, kids can get hurt. But over the past few years, school districts have begun looking for better ways to keep their students safe and injury free. Here's Susan Hendricks with today's Health MInute.
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IT'S THE FIRST GAME FOR THE FRESHMAN FOOTBALL SQUAD AT FAIRFAX HIGH SCHOOL IN VIRGINIA, AND ALREADY A PLAYER FROM THE OPPOSING TEAM HAS BROKEN HIS ARM. IT'S A PRETTY SERIOUS INJURY, BUT HE'S IN GOOD HANDS. THAT'S BECAUSE THE COUNTY HAS TWO CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS AT EACH HIGH SCHOOL IN CASE AN INJURY OCCURS.
They are there to provide comprehensive athletic healthcare for the entire athletic population.
AS STATISTICS POINT TO A RISE IN AVOIDABLE DEATHS AMONG HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES, BECAUSE OF HEAT EXHAUSTION, CONCUSSION, EVEN CARDIAC ARREST, MORE SCHOOLS ARE LOOKING AT ADDING ATHLETIC TRAINERS TO THEIR ROSTERS. THE TRAINERS ARE TAUGHT TO LOOK FOR POSSIBLE PROBLEMS IN YOUNG PLAYERS BEFORE THE SERIOUS SYMPTOMS SHOW UP. AND SCHOOLS LIKE FAIRFAX PROVIDE SPECIAL TRAINING FOR THEIR A-TS AND COACHES SO THEY ARE READY FOR ANYTHING.
So there's an emergency action plan that coaches have for every facility that they're at, where they practice and as well as where they compete.
ATHLETIC TRAINERS ARE ALSO THE MEDICAL EXPERTS AWAY FROM HOME.
We do our best to contact the parent immediately upon any acute injury, to make sure that they know what's coming home.
THE FAIRFAX COUNTY MODEL COSTS SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR - BUT MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING AT IT AS A WAY TO PROTECT THEIR YOUNG ATHLETES.
FOR TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, I'M SUSAN HENDRICKS.
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