I can not imagine the grief that this family must be going through.
http://www.macombdaily.com/art...74d7924809170512.txt
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OMG, that is just unbelievably sad, does anyone know cause of death?
They are reporting an "enlarged heart"
Very sad story.
Very sad story.
http://msn.foxsports.com/colle...ournament-win-030711
quote:There IS crying in basketball.
And hugging, heart, grit, determination — any word that can be conjured up to describe how a team of high school basketball players can persevere through the death of teammate and win a basketball game in his memory.
The Coroner's report stated cause of death as Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
I for one, would like to see more portable defibrillators (with proper training for coaches) at all high school sporting events. Many of these types of deaths can be prevented by a more detailed screening process (i.e. ECG, Echocardiogram when suggested by ECG results).
There is a hospital here in the Detroit area (Beaumont) that does a pre-season "Healthy Heart Check" screening at no cost, usually in the fall. My 2014 son had this done this fall, and will continue to get it done annually as a precaution.
I for one, would like to see more portable defibrillators (with proper training for coaches) at all high school sporting events. Many of these types of deaths can be prevented by a more detailed screening process (i.e. ECG, Echocardiogram when suggested by ECG results).
There is a hospital here in the Detroit area (Beaumont) that does a pre-season "Healthy Heart Check" screening at no cost, usually in the fall. My 2014 son had this done this fall, and will continue to get it done annually as a precaution.
The State of Illinois does require an AED to be available at any fitness facility indoor and outdoor. I saw there are over a dozen states who have introduced bills in the last couple of months to do something similar..
quote:Originally posted by OFC586Dad:
I for one, would like to see more portable defibrillators (with proper training for coaches) at all high school sporting events. Many of these types of deaths can be prevented by a more detailed screening process (i.e. ECG, Echocardiogram when suggested by ECG results).
There is a hospital here in the Detroit area (Beaumont) that does a pre-season "Healthy Heart Check" screening at no cost, usually in the fall. My 2014 son had this done this fall, and will continue to get it done annually as a precaution.
I feel for the family and friends of any kid who is stricken during a sporting event. However, during these, or any other economic times I doubt you will ever see a "crash cart" with qualified personnel available at a moments notice at every athletic event. Besides the costs involved, the liabilities a school would have to take on in this litigation driven society raises a big stop sign. IMHO, and as cold as this may sound to some, I am a firm believer that tragedy will always be around to rear it's ugly head but in the end, it is the parents responsibility to make sure their son/daughter enters a competitive environment with all the I's dotted and T's crossed in regard to the kids health.
quote:I for one, would like to see more portable defibrillators (with proper training for coaches) at all high school sporting events.
One of the things about AED's are that they are pretty much idiot proof. There are diagrams and most of them will talk you through what to do when you have to use them. It will only help if you have somebody sit you down and train you on what to do but you really don't need it.
It does need to be more available in public places - not just athletic facilities.
rz1 there is all kinds of funding out there for these machines and like I said they are pretty simple to operate. Also, most situations like this the good samaratin law would protect those who try to save others by using this machine.
quote:Originally posted by Bulldog 19:
The State of Illinois does require an AED to be available at any fitness facility indoor and outdoor. I saw there are over a dozen states who have introduced bills in the last couple of months to do something similar..
Bulldog,
What does "available" mean? Who is the qualified personnel? Who is responsible for any problems arising from the administration of first aid?
"Available" means that those participating must have access to it. It can't be behind a locked door. The AED must be within 300 feet of an outdoor facility.
For instance, at my high school, there is one on the wall outside of the main gym and across from the main office. There is another one next to a door that goes out to the athletic fields. It might be a little bit of a stretch to be 300 feet, but it is pretty close. Also, the athletic trainer has one kept in the athletic training room which she is able to take out with her to the fields.
At the high school I cover, we have one in the weight room, one just outside of the cafeteria, and then one in the concession stand at each field.
Somebody must be trained and onsite in CPR/AED when these facilities are in use. This one is a little bit interesting because in our fitness centers, we are open 24 hours a day, but we do not have staff here 24/7. We have an AED present and each person is there at their own risk.
There is little liability with using an AED. These things are so easy to use that you cannot screw them up. The only way a person could get hurt from using one is if they were to touch a body while it was being shocked. Also, I was told that there is zero liability to a user who tries to use an AED. Any liability would fall on the manufacturer.
For instance, at my high school, there is one on the wall outside of the main gym and across from the main office. There is another one next to a door that goes out to the athletic fields. It might be a little bit of a stretch to be 300 feet, but it is pretty close. Also, the athletic trainer has one kept in the athletic training room which she is able to take out with her to the fields.
At the high school I cover, we have one in the weight room, one just outside of the cafeteria, and then one in the concession stand at each field.
Somebody must be trained and onsite in CPR/AED when these facilities are in use. This one is a little bit interesting because in our fitness centers, we are open 24 hours a day, but we do not have staff here 24/7. We have an AED present and each person is there at their own risk.
There is little liability with using an AED. These things are so easy to use that you cannot screw them up. The only way a person could get hurt from using one is if they were to touch a body while it was being shocked. Also, I was told that there is zero liability to a user who tries to use an AED. Any liability would fall on the manufacturer.
RZ1 - I was not referring to a fully staffed "crash cart", rather, as several subsequent posters mentioned, an AED.
Being from Michigan, we certainly understand the economic times - it was mentioned as a "like to see" that could hopefully be paid for through grants or fundraising - for each team to carry their own to games/practice.
Also, I agree with you that parents should ensure that their child has a complete physical (not just a "sports physical") prior to participating.
Being from Michigan, we certainly understand the economic times - it was mentioned as a "like to see" that could hopefully be paid for through grants or fundraising - for each team to carry their own to games/practice.
Also, I agree with you that parents should ensure that their child has a complete physical (not just a "sports physical") prior to participating.
I just took a look. You can get an AED for approximately $1,000. If you are a school and can't find the money for something like that, I have to question your ability to field sports teams. Also, there are grants out there that are available and companies have all sorts of deals to keep them updated as well..
When you read stories like this, you wonder perhaps that when students tryout for sports, when they go for their yearly physicals, they get a thorough heart exam before they're cleared to tryout/play. There is so much advanced technology in medicine to treat potential heart issues. Why not have these tests done if it can potentually save a life.
Defibrilators should be available at all sporting events with someone there who knows how to use it. However, still, a yearly physical that includes heart examinations can potentially catch a problem and can be treated before an athlete collapses on the field and that defibrilator is needed.
Defibrilators should be available at all sporting events with someone there who knows how to use it. However, still, a yearly physical that includes heart examinations can potentially catch a problem and can be treated before an athlete collapses on the field and that defibrilator is needed.
quote:Why not have these tests done if it can potentually save a life.
An echocardiogram would be required to detect something like this. This will not happen large-scale because it just is not possible.
1) Too expensive
2) Too many false-positives
3) Too many false-negatives
4) Too time-consuming
I'm not saying that a yearly physical is important. It is CRUCIAL. But I have grown leary of the family practice physician.
Also, in this case, it is speculated that even a physical last August may not have been able to detect this. This athlete was sick with the flu a couple weeks prior and it is speculated that illness could have had an effect on his heart causing the myocarditis.
I was required to have an EKG for baseball this year. I failed and had to have an echocardiogram and stress test, and all was fine $150 or so dollars later. Not sure what to think about this since it can be so cost prohibitive at some point.
quote:But I have grown leary of the family practice physician.
Me too. If it's a cold or fever, that's one thing but if it's something other than that, I won't waste my time and make an appointment with a specialist.
I just read an article that is now saying there was an AED IN THE GYM, but it was not used. Very little care was given to this athlete until the paramedics got there some 10 minutes later.
Your chances of survival diminish every minute you are not breathing and you're heart is not beating. In fact, if your heart is not beating for longer than 5 seconds it's a major problem.
It's unbelievable to me that coaches are not required to be CPR/AED certified. None of it is rocket-science.
Your chances of survival diminish every minute you are not breathing and you're heart is not beating. In fact, if your heart is not beating for longer than 5 seconds it's a major problem.
It's unbelievable to me that coaches are not required to be CPR/AED certified. None of it is rocket-science.
quote:Originally posted by OFC586Dad:
RZ1 - I was not referring to a fully staffed "crash cart", rather, as several subsequent posters mentioned, an AED.
OFC- It was a bit of a tongue-n-cheek comment.
At the same time, IMO, the costs involved dig a little deeper than what is described here. This is not only a "game day" device but should be on hand at practices also if health is the direction you want to follow. With that said how many sports does a school sponsor in any season, every team should have one available. Some may scoff at the thought of an AED for teams such as golf, but once you do you are walking a very fine line of who's health is more important. Couple that with Freshman/JV teams, intramural programs all of whom may play/practice at different facilities than the Varsity. Add up the costs and a "promise" to parents that a willing/qualified person will be available to use the device supplied by the school, and verifying the device is always tested for compliance and you've created a "black hole" of potential issues.
IMHO you are opening up Pandora's box and anyone who looks at this as a "game only" device is wearing blinders in regard to an athletes health, regardless of the sport. Every gym should have one for the health of athlete and fan but once you start "mandating", you start an issue down a slippery slope. JMO
rz1, this is state law in Illinois. Within 300 feet. I personally believe this law makes a ton of sense and is within perfect reason. I do not believe one should be required for every team, but rather with reach of each field. For example, at our school, the baseball field and softball field are next to each other. This means 1 AED is needed for the two fields. If a school cannot manage this, then I have to question their ability to field athletic teams.
An AED can be had for under $1,000 and many times schools would be able to get them for less. CPR/AED training for the coaches is also very easy and should be a requirement.
To me, the school who chooses not to provide these simple measures are opening themselves up to much more liability than if they were to provide them.
An AED can be had for under $1,000 and many times schools would be able to get them for less. CPR/AED training for the coaches is also very easy and should be a requirement.
To me, the school who chooses not to provide these simple measures are opening themselves up to much more liability than if they were to provide them.
quote:Originally posted by Bulldog 19:
An AED can be had for under $1,000 and many times schools would be able to get them for less. CPR/AED training for the coaches is also very easy and should be a requirement.
I agree. Perhaps, instead of custom embroidered team jackets, boosters could consider purchasing an team AED. Get the jackets next year.
bulldog, do you know if AEDs have to be re-certified after they are used, or do you just plug them back in?
quote:bulldog, do you know if AEDs have to be re-certified after they are used, or do you just plug them back in?
I don't know for sure actually. I do know that they are able to be used right away if needed. As long as the battery is good, it should be operational. But I know that when an AED is used, it records a lot of information. That information needs to be analyzed after an incident.
quote:Originally posted by Bulldog 19:
For example, at our school, the baseball field and softball field are next to each other. This means 1 AED is needed for the two fields. If a school cannot manage this, then I have to question their ability to field athletic teams.
At my sons old HS the Varsity, JV, and Frosh for softball and baseball practice at different facilities. Tennis jv/frosh are different locations than varsity. Rugby, and Lacrosse are off campus. Track is 1/4 mile from any other sport and if you really want to go outside the box any golfer may be 17 holes from each other. In this case I could count up to twelve AED's needed for Spring sports and that does not include those that would be mandatory in the gym, pool, weight room, and field house for other athletes that are conditioning. I applaud the concern but implementation would be a big headache with too many "what ifs" that would fall right back in the lap of the schools.
300ft.......I would hate to be a school district that has to explain to a parent and/or a civil court that the device was 500ft away, or was not charged, or was vandalized.
I'll guess that in most cases the team trainer will be put in charge 
. Then again, the little guy would be a great scapegoat for a classmates death.I really dislike government mandated rules that lack reality, full thought and are nothing more than a weak attempt to cover their own a$$......In the IL example I wonder if some politician who has his fingers in the pot of an AED manufacturer pushed this legislation.......again jmo and food for thought, we tend to do that in WI
More power to those schools who have the resources to have these luxuries but my bet is many school districts are all ready scratching in mom/dads pockets for athletic fees that are not fully funded by the schools.
quote:An echocardiogram would be required to detect something like this. This will not happen large-scale because it just is not possible.
1) Too expensive
2) Too many false-positives
3) Too many false-negatives
4) Too time-consuming
I do not know about this particular boy.I posted a couple years ago about the importance of all athletes having this test done.It is mandatory in Japan for all athletes.
It is not tha expensive, AND most insurance comopanies do cover it as a routine test.
The test does not take that long, and should ABSOLUTELY be mandatory for every young athlete to have to rule out an enlarged heart.
So do you then mandate it be done after every viral illness? They are postulating this young man,for instance, was ok until his preceding viral illness ie a pre participation echo would have been normal.
quote:So do you then mandate it be done after every viral illness? They are postulating this young man,for instance, was ok until his preceding viral illness ie a pre participation echo would have been normal.
I said that I didnt know this particular case.
Had the boy had a previous echocardiogram? I absolutely would mandate that all athletes havean echocardiogram to rule out an enlarged heart.This happens more than people know.
I believe the echocardiogram should be a routine screening test done on ALL children, not just athletes.
Ask your doctor for one for your child.They will order the test.
Here is a Press Release that discusses the law in Illinois.
http://www.illinois.gov/pressr...Num=6500&SubjectID=1
It's a great law and one that I hope continues to spread. These requirements really are not as difficult to follow as people want to make them out to be. Public entities in Illinois were given a period of time to comply with the laws. Improvements are needed all around, but it's a start in the right direction.
quote:SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation requiring outdoor football stadiums, s****r fields, baseball fields and other outdoor facilities to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on hand to help save lives in the event of a medical emergency. House Bill 1279, sponsored by State Representative Daniel J. Burke (D-Chicago) and State Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D-Cicero), adds outdoor physical fitness and sports facilities to the list of facilities currently required to have defibrillators.
The bill is known as the R.A.W. Initiative, named after Northwestern University football player Rashidi Wheeler who died during practice in 2001. It was determined that if an AED had been onsite, Wheeler’s life could have been saved.
“The death of Rashidi Wheeler was a devastating loss for his family, the community and Northwestern University, and it could have been prevented with a defibrillator. By making defibrillators available at athletic and sporting facilities, we hope to save lives in the future and prevent these kinds of tragedies from happening,” said Gov. Blagojevich.
The bill was championed by Sean Wieber, a former Northwestern University football star and a recent high honors graduate at Chicago-Kent law school. Wieber, currently an associate at Winston Strawn, LLP, was the starting free safety on Northwestern’s 2000 Big Ten Championship football team, and a teammate of Rashidi Wheeler’s. Wheeler died in Wieber’s arms on the practice field on August 3, 2001. The bill grew out of a law school class in legislative advocacy and is the only suggested bill in the history of the class to have been enacted into law.
“Governor Blagojevich’s signing of HB 1279 shows that elected officials throughout Illinois understand the importance of protecting Illinois’ citizens by making AED’s readily available in areas where they can have an immediate impact. I am grateful not only to Gov. Blagojevich, but to the General Assembly, especially Representative Dan Burke, for supporting this initiative. I strongly believe that this new law will save lives, and its mandate--when compared to other states’ laws--puts Illinois in the forefront of AED implementation,” said Sean Wieber.
“Rashidi is smiling from Heaven today! The strength of character demonstrated by Sean Wieber, serves as a testament that the power of love, respect and determination, when accompanied with a desire to do the highest good, is the best recipe for what we, Rashidi’s family, see as a modern day miracle. Sean’s actions, and the signing of House Bill 1279, ensures that his friend’s tragic loss of life is not in vain and ensures that other students and their families will have the opportunity to pursue their dreams in a far safer environment. There are no words to express our gratitude, we are so humbled and comforted in knowing that people like Sean Wieber, still exist in today’s society,” said Linda Will, Rashidi Wheeler’s mother.
When taking action on HB 1279, the Governor used his power of amendatory veto (AV) to change part of the legislation. At the request of the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, and with full support of the bill’s sponsors, the Governor AV’d the bill to ensure all indoor and outdoor park district facilities are covered by the law. As written, the legislation would have exempted outdoor facilities from the obligation to have AED’s on hand. Rep. Burke will file a motion to accept the AV, from which point he and Senate sponsor Martin Sandoval will work their leadership to schedule a vote to accept the AV, thus enacting the law.
“Defibrillators save lives. Having more defibrillators will save more lives. We’re grateful to the Governor for his support on this bill and we are particularly grateful for the change he recommends in his amendatory veto. We hope that this bill can indeed become law in the near future with the General Assembly’s concurrence,” said Mark Peysakhovich, Senior Director of Advocacy, American Heart Association.
“This law will greatly increase the availability of Automated External Defibrillators, which will help save lives,” said Fran Maher, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago.
The defibrillator must be stored in an accessible building within 300 feet of the outdoor facility and the building’s entrances must have signs with directions to the AED. If there is not a building within 300 feet, the supervisor of the activity must make sure a defibrillator is available during the event or activity. Physical fitness facilities that are owned or operated by the forest preserve district or conservation district, such as hiking trails in nature preserves, are exempt.
The new law also requires any indoor or outdoor physical fitness facility to ensure a trained AED user is present during all physical fitness activities. Currently the law only requires facilities to have a trained AED user on staff. The Illinois Department of Public Health will adopt rules to encourage coaches, instructors and any other anticipated defibrillator operators to be trained as AED users.
Last summer Gov. Blagojevich signed legislation amending the Emergency Medical Services Systems Act and the Good Samaritan Act so that any person, acting in good faith, who provides emergency medical care involving the use of an AED is not liable for civil damages. This legislation makes it easier for people to provide emergency medical care, and help save lives without fear of retribution.
Every privately owned outdoor physical fitness facility must comply with this bill by July 1, 2009.
Public entities that own four or fewer outdoor physical fitness facilities must comply by:
July 1, 2009 for the first facility
July 1, 2010 for the second facility
July 1, 2011 for the third facility
July 1, 2012 for the fourth facility
Public entities that own more than four outdoor physical fitness facilities must comply by:
July 1, 2009 for 25% of those facilities
July 1, 2010 for 50% of those facilities
July 1, 2011 for 75% of those facilities
July 1, 2012 for 100% of those facilities
HB 1279 becomes effective upon acceptance by the General Assembly of the Governor’s amendatory veto.
http://www.illinois.gov/pressr...Num=6500&SubjectID=1
It's a great law and one that I hope continues to spread. These requirements really are not as difficult to follow as people want to make them out to be. Public entities in Illinois were given a period of time to comply with the laws. Improvements are needed all around, but it's a start in the right direction.
Not knowing all about this case do we know if an aed would have worked in this situation?
quote:Not knowing all about this case do we know if an aed would have worked in this situation?
The issue is that we do not know if an AED in the first few minutes would have done anything. An AED was used, but it was at least 10 minutes after his heart stopped. And it appears that it likely had some sort of benefit as he was not pronounced dead until ~2 hours later.
We will never know if an AED used in the first minutes would have had a positive result.