San Diego High School Athletic Trainers' Association
Welcome New Athletic Trainers
Whether you are a new graduate, new to California, or new to the secondary school level, we want to ensure everyone has access to the resources needed.
We are so glad you are here! Below you will find resources that you may have not learned about in school. Some of these laws and regulations are California and secondary school specific. If you have any questions please email sdhsata@gmail.com
It is important to note that each district may have their own policies in place so make sure you are checking with your district or other seasoned ATs in your district.
Concussions Resources
CIF San Diego Section Greenbook:
Concussion Protocol
A student-athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time for the remainder of the day. A student-athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in education and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider. If a licensed health care provider, trained in education and management of concussion, determines that the athlete sustained a concussion or a head injury, the athlete is required to complete a graduated return-to-play protocol of no less than seven (7) full days from the time of diagnosis under the supervision of a licensed health care provider. On a yearly basis, a concussion and head injury information sheet shall be signed and returned by all athletes and the athlete's parent(s)/guardian(s)/ caregiver before the athlete's initial practice or competition. (Approved May 2010 Federated Council/Revised May 2012 Federated Council/Revised January 2015 Federated Council)
Q: What is meant by a licensed health care provider? A: The scope of practice for licensed health care providers and medical professionals is defined by California state statutes. This scope of practice will limit the evaluation to a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO). Q: May nurse practitioners (NP) or physician assistants (PA) provide written clearance to return to play? A: Yes, a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician's assistant (PA) working under the direct supervision of a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) may provide clearance for return to play. (Editorial May 2020)
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
CIF San Diego Section Greenbook:
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Protocol
A student-athlete who passes out or faints while participating in, or immediately following, an athletic activity or who is known to have passed out or fainted while participating in, or immediately following an athletic activity, must be removed immediately from participating in a practice or game for the remainder of the day. A student-athlete who has been removed from play after displaying signs and symptoms associated with sudden cardiac arrest may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider. On a yearly basis, a Sudden Cardiac Arrest information sheet shall be signed and returned by all athletes and the athlete's parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver before the athlete's initial practice or competition. Q: What is meant by a licensed health care provider? A: The scope of practice for licensed health care providers and medical professionals is defined by California state statutes. This scope of practice will limit the evaluation to a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO). Q: May nurse practitioners (NP) or physician assistants (PA) provide written clearance to return to play? A: Yes, a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician's assistant (PA) working under the direct supervision of a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) may provide clearance for return to play. (Editorial May 2020)
AED and EAP Requirements
Heat Illness
CIF San Diego Section Greenbook:
Heat Illness Protocol
A student-athlete who exhibits signs of heat illness while participating in, or immediately following, an athletic activity must be removed immediately from participating in a practice or game for the remainder of the day. A student-athlete who has been removed from play after displaying signs and symptoms associated with heat illness may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider. On a yearly basis, a Heat Illness information sheet shall be signed and returned by all athletes and the athlete's parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver before the athlete's initial practice or competition. All CIF member schools must adhere to the CIF Heat Illness Prevention and Heat Acclimatization Policies
The CIF requires that schools use the Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer (WBGT) for the most accurate measurement of the Heat Stress in direct sunlight. It is important to note that the WBGT is different from the Heat Index or current Temperature for your location. Depending on your Category Region, it is mandated for the benefit of the health and safety of our student-athletes that practice/games be canceled, or delayed until cooler when WBGT exceeds these levels:
• Region Category 1 >86.2°F
• Region Category 2 >89.9°F
• Region Category 3 >92.0°F
Please work with your Athletic Director to determine the Regional Category for your school/practice area. Ensure that your school site has the ability to take an accurate WBGT Reading prior to the start of every practice. Know which Region Category your school is in, and what activities would be permitted within the WBGT Temperature range on the current date and time of your scheduled practice or contest.
California Bylaw for all Outdoor Sports in the Fall (503 K):
Five-Day Acclimatization Period. Preseason practice shall begin with a five-day acclimatization period for all fall outdoor student-athletes. All fall outdoor student-athletes, including those who arrive at preseason practice after the first day of practice, are required to undergo a five-day acclimatization period. The five-day acclimatization period shall be conducted as follows:
(a) Participants shall not engage in more than one on-field practice per day during the five-day acclimatization period. On-field practices shall last no longer than two hours.
(b) Please see Football Specific Guidelines for acclimatization period for football only.
The Athletic Training Locations and Services (ATLAS) Project
Is a joint initiative of the Korey Stringer Institute and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association designed to track access to AT services, improve communication between athletic trainers and produce research for the advancement of the profession of Athletic Training in the secondary school setting. The project has created a real-time database with visualizations that map the level and type of AT services in secondary schools. Specifically, ATLAS aims to advance the following:
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Communication Between AT and Healthcare Delivery: The maps provide for quick access to information about other schools. It also serves as a vehicle for ATs to improve the provision of healthcare of secondary school athletes.
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Strategic State Initiatives: Via the annual ATLAS reports and specific data requests, state leaders (e.g. athletic training associations, athletics associations, legislators) have the information at hand to address key strategic initiatives to advance the profession and improve the evidence-based best practice.
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Advance Research in the Secondary School Setting: The database has the ability to track the changes in this setting and identify the areas associated with improved access to athletic training services and the delivery of healthcare to athletes.
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The Value of the Secondary School AT: With a more thorough understanding of the services each AT provides, these data are being used to explore national trends and practices that can quantify the value that the SS AT provide which in turn may improve monetary compensation for services
How ATLAS works:
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The success of the ATLAS Project hinges upon the bi-annual (every other year) participation of the secondary school AT (ideally between August 1st and June 1st of the academic year).
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In order for KSI to continue to provide up-to-date data to NATA national, district and state leadership we need the assistance of each and every AT working in the secondary school setting. To that point, KSI and the NATA strive to continue to provide states with the real-time data that they need so that progress is not hindered, key areas related to clinical practice are improved, and the health and safety needs of the student athlete are met.
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Each year KSI will releases the Annual ATLAS Report which is meant to provide accurate information to leaders, researchers, clinicians and the general public so that we may improve the level of care being provided in this setting.
Communication between Athletic Trainers
Waters
Not all schools will be able to provide water jugs for away teams, please make sure your teams are aware of this.
Not all high schools are built the same
Not all schools have a full-time athletic trainer, some have a part-time and some schools do not have one at all. With that being said, your athletes experience will be different at each school.
Taping
The goal is for each school to provide a med kit for each of their teams. If your athletes are traveling to another school and you CANNOT prepare your athletes at your school please email/text the home AT and let them know ahead of time, you should also be providing the tape needed.
Some ATs will tape athletes with their own supplies but not everyone has the same budget.