First Response for Sports Trauma Course (FRST)
The First Response for Sports Trauma Course (FRST) is designed to provide first responders with the skills required to recognize, treat and transport athletes who become ill or suffer traumatic injury during sporting events, for conditions including cardiac arrest, heart arrhythmias, concussion, spinal injuries and heat-related illnesses.
For more information on bringing FRST to your organization, call the UH EMS Institute at 440-735-3513, email us at info@frst-course.com or fill out the form below.
Goals of the Program
Developed by Robert Flannery, MD and the University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute, the FRST course has two primary goals:
- To provide first responders with instruction and hands-on training in treatment protocols for unique emergencies during athletic events.
- To enable a dialogue between EMS, medical staff and other first responders to formulate a unique emergency action plan for a venue before the start of each season.
Specific training modules include:
- Optimal responses to traumatic injury in an athlete as opposed to the injuries, conditions and patients more typically seen by EMS
- Various EMS sports response case studies and scenarios
- Methods for communicating and collaborating with athletic trainers, team physicians and emergency department clinicians
- Hands-on instruction and best practices for helmet and pad removal
- Four hours of continuing education units and a two-year FRST certification, accredited through University Hospitals EMS Institute
AED in 3
If an athlete experiences sudden cardiac collapse, the goal from time of collapse to shock is 3 minutes or less. The goal of the AED in 3 challenge is to raise awareness about this importance of practicing and implementing at Emergency Action Plan.
Our PRE-GAME™ Approach
The FRST course teaches an innovative PRE-GAME approach to ensure that first responders are ready for any situation or emergency that might arise during an athletic event.
Prepare: Review the emergency action plan (EAP) for each venue prior to the rehearsal
Rehearse: Have every team member rehearse each aspect of the EAP
Evaluate: After the rehearsal, evaluate the EAP and make changes based on the most up-to-date recommendations or changes to the venue
| Condition | Get the Picture | Access & Activate | Mobilize Plan | Evacuate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sudden Cardiac Death | May look like a seizure | ABCs, Send for the AED | Start CPR & defibrillate | Transport as soon as possible |
| Cammotio Cordis | May look like a seizure, will take a couple of steps before falling | ABCs, Send for the AED | Start CPR & defibrillate | Transport as soon as possible |
| Heat Illness | Noticeable confusion, lack of sweat | ABCs, level of consciousness, Prep cold tub with ice water | Wrap towel under arms to control body weight | Do not transport until core temp reaches 102°F or starts to shiver |
| Sickle Cell Trait | ATC or family should know the history; No confusion, lack of sweating, soft muscles | Send for or bring to closest oxygen, IV | Administer oxygen, IVF, pain medication | Transport as soon as possible |
| Concussion | Must give time to allow adrenaline to wear off, then look for worsening symptoms | ABCs, Neuro checks | Re-evaluate at 10 – 20 minutes to allow symptoms to emerge | Transport only if worsening mental status, vomiting, agitation, slurred speech or facial asymetry |
| Cervical Spine Injury | Note any deformity or if head is turned any mechanical block to moving back to midline. Do not move | ABCs, Send for immobilization resources and removal tools if needed | C-spine stabilization if mechanical block, do not force to neutral position | Transport as soon as possible |