Daemen University athletic training students had the opportunity to learn and test out their skills during their program’s annual on-ice seminar, held at Nichols High School’s Dann Memorial Ice Rink on Nov. 11.

This unique continuing education event was hosted by Sports Medicine Concepts, Inc. (SMC), a company from Avon, N.Y. that focuses on training sports healthcare professionals in the management of potentially catastrophic injuries in athletics.

“This event was beneficial for the students because it provided real-life scenarios on the ice that cannot be taught in the classroom,” said Tony Surace, clinical education coordinator/assistant professor at Daemen University who is also an instructor with SMC. “They had to use critical thinking to determine the injury and how to manage on the ice, which adds a difficult component when dealing with a potentially catastrophic injured hockey player. You need to work efficiently and carefully in the management of a critically injured patient in equipment.”

Simulation Prepares Students

The simulation included scenarios involving an injured hockey player and goalie on the ice. Manikins were used as well, allowing the students to work in small sports medicine teams to manage various represented injuries.

The scenarios consisted of managing a goalie hit in the net with a potential spine injury, as well as a hockey player who was checked from behind and went head first into the boards.

Another scenario involved tending to an unconscious hockey player after being hit and going into cardiac arrest on the ice. The students managed the equipment of the player and began CPR and simulated the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) on the ice.

Students will review the performance of the medical teams and provide feedback and education regarding the scenarios during a virtual debriefing course later this month.

For more information on athletic training at Daemen, visit daemen.edu/athletictraining.