IN CASE OF INJURY :  
All coaches have been provided with instructions in case of injury and have been issued a medical kit and ice chest to be available at all practices and games.  Ice machines are readily available at both campuses.  If one of the ATCs is not available, the coach should advise the athlete to use ice 20 minutes on/20 minutes off and see an ATC as soon as possible during training room hours. 

Never apply heat until told to do so by one of the ATCs.  In the ATCs' absence, the coach is responsible for providing immediate care to an injured athlete but they are advised to not "screen" athletes' injuries or give them any other advice.  If you or the coach feel immediate medical attention is necessary and one of the ATCs is not available, take the athlete to the Emergency Room or your own physician.  In case of any possible lower extremity fracture or significant knee injury, unconsciousness, or neck injury an ambulance should be called.

If ambulance transport is not required, you will need to transport the athlete to the hospital or physician's office in your own vehicle. LFHS personnel do not provide transportation, in either LFHS or personal vehicles.  If you are unavailable, an ambulance will be called.  Usually every effort will be made to have you make the decision to call an ambulance but the coaches will use their judgment.  They are instructed when in doubt, call the ambulance.  

TREATMENTS AVAILABLE:
If a physician prescribes some form of therapy or rehabilitation, please contact one of the ATCs before scheduling.  Chances are very high that the treatment can be performed at the high school, saving you time and money and allowing better coordination of the athlete's care. 

Treatment modalities available at the school include: cryotherapy (cold); electro- therapy (including Russian, interferential, and micro current forms of electrical stimulation); ultrasound;  hot packs;  and hydrotherapy (hot, warm, and cold whirlpools).

The ATCs are qualified and experienced in designing rehabilitation programs to develop range of motion, strength, and proprioception (body sense and balance) with a variety of activities and exercises including: active, active-assisted, passive, functional, and aquatic (pool).  They are also able to provide protective taping, wrapping, and custom splints and padding, and stock AirCast  ankle braces.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOME CARE OF MINOR INJURIES

For the first 24-72 hours after injury:
1.  Use PRICE to control swelling, relieve pain, lessen spasm and aid the healing process

2.  Ice treatments (i.e. frozen water) should be applied 20 minutes on/20 minutes off until bed time. DO NOT USE CHEMICAL COLD PACKS. They have been known to burn the skin..  Bags of frozen peas or corn work well since they can be molded to fit the body part.
3.  If using an elastic wrap, apply it lightly to the injured area over the ice pack. Do not wrap it too tightly. After taking the ice pack off, reapply the elastic wrap snugly (again, not too tight, but tighter than when it was over the ice pack). Loosen or remove the elastic wrap at night.
4.  Elevation at night can be accomplished by placing a firm object (piece of wood) under the foot or head of the bed depending upon leg or arm injury, respectively. This will assure proper elevation throughout the night.
5.  Decrease weight-bearing during this time. Instruct your son/daughter to stay off the injury and rest. Use crutches if issued by the athletic trainers.
6.  NEVER apply heat in any form until advised to do so by the athletic trainers. Heat will interfere with healing and cell waste product removal. It may feel good, but it only lengthens recovery.
7.  Consult your family physician if the signs and/or symptoms of the injury increase or worsen.
8.  See the athletic trainers as soon as possible for further instructions.
9.  Until told otherwise, the athlete should report for treatment daily in the athletic training room.