ESPN interviews Beacon certified athletic trainer about high school student-athlete safety in record heat

Certified athletic trainer Erin Foreman spoke to ESPN this week about the importance of having athletic trainers on the sidelines for high school student-athletes playing in this summer’s record heat.

As sports practices get underway, ESPN looked at player safety and protection during extreme temperatures.

“I’m glad they reached out to the folks who are on the ground,” says Foreman, a Beacon certified athletic trainer at Elkhart High School. “It has always been hot, but now we’re seeing the heat for longer lengths of time – for days that are back to back to back. And my first job is to keep everyone safe.”

Click here to read the ESPN story.

ESPN reports that while athletic trainers are vital to identifying signs of heat-related illness early, only 37 percent of high schools employ a full-time athletic trainer. One-third of high schools have no athletic trainer at all, the article states.

Beacon’s athletic trainers watch for cramping, pulled muscles and dehydration during hot weather, and they follow a physician-approved heat illness policy to limit the potential of a catastrophic outcome. The policy, which is provided to each school, summarizes the actions they will take regarding prevention, recognition and treatment of heat-related illness.

Beacon’s 18 athletic trainers work at 15 area high schools and colleges. Whether they’re assessing injuries, coordinating care, or communicating with patients, guardians or coaches, they are the first line of defense and medical care for those participating in sports.

On average, Foreman says she sees half a dozen cases of heat exhaustion each year in football, soccer and volleyball, but that number could increase this year on account of the record-high temperatures. When an athlete becomes overheated, she uses a cold immersion tub to bring down his or her core temperature.

“If your school doesn’t have an athletic trainer, someone should be advocating for one,” Foreman says. “We help educate coaches, parents and students so we can keep players safe. We lessen the seriousness of an injury or illness by being there on the sidelines of practices and events. We save lives.”

Interested in athletic training coverage at your program?

Beacon certified athletic trainers are among the most well-respected in the area and provide on-site coverage for athletic events and programs at all levels. We’d love to talk to you about your coverage needs and how we can make the playing field safer for your athletes. Call 574.647.1670 or visit our website for more information.