Race Medical Personnel Fulfill Vital Roles
When a nationally ranked Virginia multisport athlete collapsed from heat exhaustion, dehydration, and fatigue after finishing the sprint race in St. Paul, Minnesota, medical personnel were able to snap into action.
The competitor from Falls Church, Virginia had completed the standard distance race in the early morning, but racing in the sprint event under sunny, hilly and windy conditions in the afternoon took its toll.
Because elite athletes at national championship races have special physiologies, medical personnel needed to know the competitor’s normal resting pulse, blood pressure, and other metrics, as they are not those of the “average” American woman. It was important for the sports medicine specialists in the USAT first-aid tent to know not only her current vital signs, but also what they are when “normal”.
With an elevated core temperature, some dehydration, dizziness, and muscle cramping, it was critical to get her body temperature down, fluids and electrolytes in, and metabolism normalized. Maintaining body temperature, fluid balance, and equilibrium is critical to healthy homeostasis.
Doug Landau’s friend was fortunate to be in the hands of capable medical personnel, such as the young lady shown above, who is a Physicians Assistant student. This capable young medical professional even drove Landau and his friend to their car with a medical cart. This is typical of the volunteers of the US National Championship events who go above and beyond the call of duty.
Lawyer Landau’s friend donated a brand-new bicycle pump to Listening House — the charity supported by the race with the donation of used shoes — as thanks for the medical personnel’s care, attention, and time.