Race First aid Need Help, Coach help me please

[indygirl99]

I'm still a new runner having started running June 24th last year and have had the typical IT band irritation and ankle stress from poor form but no real injuries during a race, no tummy troubles, or hydration/electrolyte issues.

I am celebrating one year of running by paying it back and volunterring for medical at a marathon on June 16th.

Now that is not as crazy as it may sound I am a nurse and know basic first aid and CPR. I can assess respiratory distress, ankle sprains, cuts, put ice on swollen knees and ankles. BUT I work in the Pediatric world and am used to kids not adults. I promise I will leave the pacifiers at home but I need some help in what to look for and what I may encounter.

I will not be the only medical person there and am great at taking direction but I don't want to screw up. What do I need to know for the down and dirty. I don't have time to read the entire Sports Medicine volume. What are the top things that I should look for and the DO NOT EVER do things.

 

[FireDancer]

I'm still a new runner having started running June 24th last year and have had the typical IT band irritation and ankle stress from poor form but no real injuries during a race, no tummy troubles, or hydration/electrolyte issues.

I am celebrating one year of running by paying it back and volunterring for medical at a marathon on June 16th.

Now that is not as crazy as it may sound I am a nurse and know basic first aid and CPR. I can assess respiratory distress, ankle sprains, cuts, put ice on swollen knees and ankles. BUT I work in the Pediatric world and am used to kids not adults. I promise I will leave the pacifiers at home but I need some help in what to look for and what I may encounter.

I will not be the only medical person there and am great at taking direction but I don't want to screw up. What do I need to know for the down and dirty. I don't have time to read the entire Sports Medicine volume. What are the top things that I should look for and the DO NOT EVER do things.

At the Cleveland marathon they had basically spotters in the finish queue that were more familiar with what to look for in the athletes. Many were sports medicine specialists or athletic trainers. They would talk to the people who they thought needed help and pass them off to the medical personnel if they did need it.

Once you are there someone will most likely be coordinating the medical volunteers and will let you know what you need to do. Since this is your first race they would probably not put you in a position to access runners and instead react to someone sent to you. That is all an assumption based on my experience volunteering for races. I was never a medical volunteer but have been in the finish shoot and saw them work.

 

[cewait]

By far, you will see blisters, swollen joints and chaffing more than anything else.
Depending on where you are working and in what capacity the list can be...
Finish Line - Catchers are the first line of medical. If assigned to these posts, look at the runner's eyes as they slow up at the line. Even the best looking runner may simply clock out at the line as they stop. Eyes start rolling back, grab them before their legs crumple.

Depending on the race, there may be a minor injury/triage area. In this area it's ice, Band-Aids, Vaseline and observing.

If in the tent, there will usually be a first line of medical. Pretty much the same as above. As Frank said, there will be doctor(s) present who are in charge if you run into issues. In the few tents I have been in, I know that I saw a second medical prior to any treatment.

I think the most complicated thing is the dehydration/overhydration issue. Hyponatremia can present itself with the same symptoms as dehydration. Make sure that you follow the director’s protocol and ask if not certain. Bay far, this will come in the later stages of the race.

Not sure if this helps.

Thank you for paying it forward. I usually work 2-4 races a year and love the finish area. It’s a magical place and I tend to be shuffled into the catcher role more often than not.

 

[indygirl99]

Okay I'm good at following directions and asking questions if I am in doubt.

I think the dehydration/overhydration/hyponatremia one worries me the most.

I did talk to the medical director for the race today. This is a new position for him with this particular race outfit but he has done several races so not new to the job. He was planning to put me on front lines because he had heard I was a runner and thought I would know what to look for. After talking with him he is fine with putting me in the tent as second line medical. We will work together at future races that they are doing that I do not plan on running and as I get more experience maybe one day I will be front line.

I really do enjoy both sides of the race. Running and helping put the race on. Who knew.

 

[BlazerFan]

Okay I'm good at following directions and asking questions if I am in doubt.

I think the dehydration/overhydration/hyponatremia one worries me the most.

I did talk to the medical director for the race today. This is a new position for him with this particular race outfit but he has done several races so not new to the job. He was planning to put me on front lines because he had heard I was a runner and thought I would know what to look for. After talking with him he is fine with putting me in the tent as second line medical. We will work together at future races that they are doing that I do not plan on running and as I get more experience maybe one day I will be front line.

I really do enjoy both sides of the race. Running and helping put the race on. Who knew.

I'm guessing this is for VUM? I'm doing the 1/2. I hope to see you but not need you