USA Hockey Magazine

Hockey + Health 28 // AUGUST 2022 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM GET THE FACTS ABOUT DEFIBRILLATORS I t can happen on the ice or in the stands; waiting at the snack bar during a 12 & Under game or sitting on the bench during a late- night adult Rec league. Heart attacks don't happen often at an ice rink, but when they do, the ability to act and react quickly can be the difference between life and death. One of the most effective tools on the mar- ket is the automated external defibrillator, or AED for short. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be found at airports and bus stations, super markets and office buildings. They can even be found at many ice rinks across the country, but not all. And that's what concerns Dr. Alan Ashare. As the co-chair o f U S A Ho c k e y 's S a f et y a n d P r ot e c t i v e Committee, Ashare has long campaigned to have AEDs in every rink. In addition, Ashare says that AEDs should be readily available with easy access, and that rink employees should know how to use them as part of their regular training in CPR. "It's a simple device to use and it's been proven to save lives," Ashare says. When a person goes into cardiac arrest, the electrical activity in the heart is thrown into chaos. The AED is designed to shock it back into proper working order. And time being of the essence, it's important to perform the procedure quickly, which is why it's important to have AEDs readily accessible in public places. "The single most import- ant determinant for surviv- al is the time from collapse to the application of an AED," said Dr. Michael Stuart, USA Hockey's chief medical and safety officer. "Shock within one minute of collapse raises the survival rate to 90 per- cent and within three minutes increases the chance of survival to 70 percent. "Make sure you have an AED in your rink, know where it is located, and learn how to use it." According to Jeff Theiler, the chief oper- ating officer of the U.S. Ice Rink Association, there is no available data to tell how many rinks in the U.S. have AEDs on site, but as the industry leader, the association encourages every rink to not only have at least one AED but to also train its people on how to use them. "Having an AED in every rink is definitely the responsible thing to do," Theiler says. "Not only are you looking out for the health of your customers, but you're staff as well, because they're in the rink every day." Every year there are more documented cases where an AED has been used to save the life of a player, coach or spectator at a rink. P Battle Ready Does the protective padding inside your helmet look more like petrified tree bark? Do the palms of your gloves look like they've been in a battle with a swarm of moths, and lost? If your shoulder pads and shin pads look like they belong in the Smithsonian instead of your hockey bag, it may be time for some new gear. Dr. Alan Ashare, the co-chair of USA Hockey's Safety & Protective Equipment Committee and the former president of the Hockey Equipment Certification Council, offers a few pointers of when it's time to head to your local pro shop. HELMET: HECC certifies helmets up to seven years from the day they are manufactured. It's important to check the certification sticker on the back of a helmet. GLOVES: Gloves can be used as long as they are not torn. You are also advised to NOT cut the palms out of your gloves in order to extend their life. SHOULDER/KNEE PADS AND SHIN GUARDS: These also do not have a specific life span. These can be used until they are broken or torn. SKATES: The lifespan of a pair of skates often depends on how many times they are sharpened. Of course you can replace the blade, but it's usually the case with younger players that they outgrow their skates before they become unusable. MOUTHGUARDS: It is important that your mouthguard covers all of the top or bot- tom part of your mouth. It is also recommended that you have a form-fitted mouth- guard provided by a dentist instead of the boil-and-bite kind. "Make sure you have an AED in your rink, know where it is located, and learn how to use it." - Dr. Michael Stuart, USA Hockey's Chief Medical Officer Keep Your Protective Gear Clean And In Good Working Condition To Maximize Its Life And Usefulness

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