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As the new school year approaches, Carvers Bay and Waccamaw high schools in South Carolina face a critical challenge: starting the sports season without certified Athletic Trainers.
Carvers Bay’s Athletic Trainer recently resigned, and Waccamaw is entering its second year without one. This leaves head coaches to double as medical professionals, a role they are not trained to perform!
Athletic Trainers are essential for tasks such as ensuring athletes take adequate breaks, taping ankles, and handling concussions.
Without them, coaches often resort to calling parents or 911 in case of injuries. Dr. James Berry, a retired Hall of Fame Athletic Trainer, emphasized the importance of having certified trainers:
“When that Athletic Trainer isn’t there, that falls to the coaches, and that’s not what coaches are trained to do.”
Berry highlighted that Athletic Trainers not only provide immediate care but also act as a bridge to determine which injuries require further evaluation by a physician.
“It also takes the weight off of the medical community seeing unnecessary things that could be easily handled at the facility."
While substitute trainers are sometimes available for games, Berry noted that most injuries occur during daily practices.
“The reality of the situation is that the majority of the injuries are going to occur during those daily practices."
Berry attributes the shortage to a new master’s degree requirement for Athletic Trainers and low pay. The Georgetown County School District is actively working with Tidelands Health to fill these crucial roles.
The head coaches at both schools hope to have Athletic Trainers in place before the upcoming football season and are taking necessary safety precautions in the meantime.
Here's the full story and video from WMBF!
