No certified athletic trainer was on site at HS game when player collapsed, died
Several important questions remained unanswered in the death of a high school football player who collapsed during a game over the weekend.
Dennis Mitchell, a sophomore defensive lineman at Byhalia High School in Mississippi, reportedly absorbed a hard hit early in a game against Coahoma County High School on Friday. After being taken out of the game, Mitchell vomited on the sidelines and then returned to the game upon his request.
Later in the game, Mitchell collapsed and later died at a nearby hospital.
According to The Commercial Appeal, no certified athletic trainer was on site for the game, but that’s also not a requirement for certified athletic trainers to be on staff. Coaches, however, are required to complete first responder course training and “must abide by specific practice and game regulations.”
From the story:
These requirements include the ability to administer CPR, easing the student athletes into pads while progressively ramping up the level of practice intensity over a 14-day period, the availability of cold water immersion tubs during training and having emergency personnel with ambulances in the vicinity during games.
Not enough was done to save Mitchell’s life, prompting questions about whether certified athletic trainers should be on staff for all athletic events in Mississippi.
To read more on the story, you can visit The Commercial Appeal.