Description
This course prepares entry-level physical therapy students to practice as non-Emergency Medical Services (EMS) emergency responders in athletic and clinical environments. Students complete asynchronous learning activities aligned with Health & Safety Institute (HSI) First Responder standards and National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) guidelines. This course covers professional responsibilities, legal/ethical issues, primary and secondary emergency assessment, environmental and medical emergencies, trauma management, bleeding control, and considerations for special populations, culminating in the development of a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan. Emphasis is placed on scene management, rapid assessment, life-threat recognition, decision-making, and interprofessional communication. Studentsparticipatein a 15-hour, in-person HSI First Responder certification training and assessment to demonstrate competency in airway management, bleeding control, splinting, patient movement, and other core emergency skills.