Defibrilators

[Pinball]

At the past two UMLL meetings there has been some intense discussions about possibly making it mandatory to have a defibrillator at the scorers table for all league games. I know no one in the league wants to wait for something to happen, but is this a feasible thing to have defibrillators??

I know Pete Mooseburger the UST coach has talked with Medtronic and they said if we give them our alumni list, parents names they will make the calls to help raise funds.

As i would like to see defibrillators on the sidelines, what are the true chances of someone having an injury where a defribulator would help? They are not going to help every heart related injury. Is there a recorded instance where a defibrillator would of helped someone in college lacrosse??? I have no idea.

Since the price of one is around $2,000- that is soo much money for a "student club" to have to pour into something that in the history of the UMLL would of never helped out. In my opinion there maybe a lot better way for a club to spend money. It maybe OOC games or simply some new equipment or lower dues for players.

"But the money would be coming from donations" Even though i highly doubt that, i would rather have that money coming into the club for other expenses. Most teams in the UMLL do not even have a strong or even an alumni list.

Thoughts??

[Jolly Roger]

Hey Pinball,

It happens.

What do you think happened here http://forums.uslia.com/viewtopic.php?t=2815

How about you personally give $2000 of your own money toward the funeral of the first UMLL kid to die because St John's thinks

there maybe a lot better way for a club to spend money. It maybe OOC games or simply some new equipment or lower dues for players.

I'm glad you can put a price tag on life. Bury a few of your friends (like I have) and get back to me

[lil lady lax fan]

Jolly Roger,

You are being totally unfair to Pinball. He is not placing a price on anyones life, nor is he trying to be callous. These types of incidents (ie the example you presented), though tragic, do not happen on a regular basis. They also haven't determined cause of death so a defibrilator may not have helped even if they did have one there. He just wants to know whether or not the idea is worth considering.

My question is how many other sports teams keep a defibrilator on the sidelines? Also you have to take into account adequate training in the use of the device and the legal problems that may arise if the device is used unsuccessfully.

[Adam Gamradt]

Pinball-

"As i would like to see defibrillators on the sidelines, what are the true chances of someone having an injury where a defribulator would help?"

It's not possible to quantify this risk with any degree of accuracy.

"Is there a recorded instance where a defibrillator would of helped someone in college lacrosse?"

Yes. If you like, you can use everyone's friend google for assistance with further research.

http://www.youthlacrosseusa.com/hsnews/ ... 00203.html

http://www.nysut.org/newyorkteacher/200 ... defib.html

http://www.eucomed.be/docs/Young%20Teen ... 20beat.pdf

Just like a prepared trainer, or other medical staff, having the proper equipment on the sidelines is a need, not a want. Place it above cheaper dues, or a better hotel, regardless of your perception of the odds. Plus, it was pretty clear to me that there was very little chance of any team having to pay the total cost out of pocket. It sounded to me like Medtronic was going to pick up and\or arrange for much of the funding.

Adam Gamradt

[Adam Gamradt]

Sorry to reply to my own post, but the training was offered to us for no additional cost.

[Pinball]

I already read these stories and in the instance of the lacrosse player Adam Quilty the AED was brought to the sidelines by an Ambulance and in the case of the baseball player it was brought by police. I will state this over and over i am all for having an AED on the sidelines, just not league mandated

[Sonny]

Take it easy fellas. No need to make things personal.

I don't know all the answers. Liability is a huge concern both at the team and (MDIA) conference level. I would defer to the excellent legal counsel you guys have at the UMLL - (Rob Graff, Line 1 is for you.)

[cjwilhelmi]

I coach at a High School and I have one that will be at all of our games, both and away. If a high school has it then it would only make sense that at the college level where the hits are bigger and the balls fly faster that there would be one at the games.

[draglax21]

For some teams that have no money, no alumni list, and there only chance would be to try and get the school to pay for it, I don't think making us pay for is the best way to cover the cost. If at the end of the game everyone is still alive, I am all for getting them. But for some of us just can't afford it. Money is to tight for some teams and we are already asking a lot of everyone this year.

[Jolly Roger]

Jolly Roger,

You are being totally unfair to Pinball. He is not placing a price on anyones life

Yes he is

Since the price of one is around $2,000- that is soo much money for a "student club" to have to pour into something

In his world, $2000 is too much for a team to spend to save a life.

[LaxTchr]

Training is minimal for AED's. The user only has to place the adhesive tabs at correct locations on the victim's chest. (a diagram is on the AED) The computer checks for pulse, heart rate, etc... and determines the voltage and frequency of shocks. If tabs are placed incorrectly or the victim has a heartbeat the device will not attempt to shock the individual.


FYI:
http://www.zoll.com/AED.htm

[msumcoach]

I think there is a lot of good points brought up. I especially like the fact that police and paramedics brought the defib's in both stories. No matter who has the AED the chance that they get there in time is unnecessary. I also see the point that money is tight for every team. With rising dues, more travel expectations, and etc... this league takes very organized individuals to micromanage their financial situations already.

However I am all for having these on the side lines. Maybe not right now but within the next years. I have started to try to get an AED for my team. I spoke with our advisor he is in the athletic training department in our school and told me that every school in the state university district should have a good chance at getting some money for them. He told me that they have a special budget set aside every year for items like this. Basically I would approach your schools for funding toward this.

One solution to this and maybe as a temporary solution is have the league purchase 3 AED's. In a given weekend there is typically no more than three game sights. Each team could have their trained reps and keep the AED's at that location all day. We could pick them up or have someone from a Minneapolis location drop them off the day before games. Who know's you could have the officials bring them. This is just a thought and it is a temporary solution. But it might be worth exploring for the upcoming year.

Last thought instead of tearing people's idea's down lets work together to make them what everybody wants!
Dave Elliott

[Pinball]

There is no way that i am putting a price on life, not a chance.

I am a realist.

My thoughts were purley to spark discussion on the topic USLIA wide, not just in our little UMLL meetings.

I am certified and trained to use an AED for those who think i am heartless and would rather see a person die then spend a little money

As we talk about the risk of lacrosse and sports in general how many precautions do we have to take to keep everything safe. Are we turning in a society that is afraid of everything, and afraid of getting sued for everything?? Should we just have an M.D. following all players/coaches/Fans around???

[Jolly Roger]

Are we turning in a society that is afraid of everything, and afraid of getting sued for everything??

My point is that if a tragedy occurred, would you rather face the family/administration/media and say:

"We did everything possible, we called 911, our CPR guy got to him right away, we tried the AED, but we couldn't save him."

or

"We thought about getting an AED, but thought it was too expensive. They only help in a fraction of the cases anyhow."

I know where I stand - confident I did my best, not afraid of litigation.

[umdulax1]

I will repeat Sonny's request for everyone to cool it. If you can't discuss this issue with respect for one another I will lock this post. Thank you.