"Pre-Hospital Care of the Spine-Injured Athlete," a document based on the report of the Inter-Association Task Force for Appropriate Care of the Spine-Injured Athlete, is now available from the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

This monograph contains lines to follow regarding the on-the-field management and immediate care of the potentially spine-injured athlete. It includes the initial evaluation of the athlete, management of the injured athlete's equipment, and immobilization and transportation techniques. The paper also includes a section on injury mechanisms, return to play criteria and injury prevention guidelines.

Emphasized are such facts as:

Facemask removal is essential before transport regardless of the athlete's respiratory status.

For the football player wearing shoulder pads and helmet, the helmet (including chin strap) should be removed only if the helmet and chin strap do not hold the head securely such that immobilization of the helmet does not immobilize the head, if the design of the helmet and chin strap is such that even after removal of the facemask the airway cannot be controlled or ventilation be provided, if the face mask can not be removed after a reasonable period of time, or if the helmet prevents immobilization for transportation in an appropriate position.

All schools must have a well-designed emergency plan, and all those involved with the athletics program should be aware of the specifics of the plan.

A video demonstrating the key points of the monograph, including facemask and helmet removal techniques, as well as transportation and crowd management protocols, also is available for a reasonable fee at www.humankinetics.com. The monograph is available at www.nata.
org/downloads/0684602NATAPreHospital.pdf.

For more information, contact Doug Kleiner at dkleiner@unf.edu.