I am an athletic trainer at Kalaheo High School. My main responsibility is keeping student athletes safe during sporting events. We have a small budget and not enough resources to help the athletes to our greatest potential. The athletic training room is located in a separate building than the gym, and a small walk from the football/soccer field, making it difficult for some athletes with injuries to get to us. In emergencies, it is difficult to transport the athletes and carry some of the heavier athletes, off of the field and get them treated. For instance during an injury such as heat exhaustion, a slower response rate increases the risk of the athlete. When they are disoriented and sluggish, it becomes even more difficult to get the unresponsive athlete off of the field and the treatment they need. We're looking to better help our Kalaheo Sports community and treat our students faster and more effectively.
We educate the athletes on proper hydration and nutrition, as well as educating them about their bodies. We assist students looking to enter a health-care field in college by letting those interested volunteer in the athletic training room, giving them hands on experience from cleaning wounds, to taping ankles, to learning budgeting and inventory. Working 6 days a week and on some nights (football games) until 1am, we are committed to our athletes as they are our primary concern. Our project is looking to aide the athletic trainers, as well as the athletes during practices and games and help keep safety our priority.