Soapbox thread: Medical cover at shows.

This is something I've been thinking a lot about recently. I worry that because of all the other issues surrounding wrestling right now that this will potentially get lost in the shuffle. 1

Wrestling is dangerous. There are no two ways about it. Injuries that can be sustained can be life-threatening. This is why I believe that all shows need a qualified HCPC registered paramedic on-site, not just someone with first aid. 2

First aid is a great starting point, but being able to put on a sling or a bandage isn't going to help someone who has an open fracture, potentially a broken neck, major chest trauma, etc. Not to mention, how many people who have a first-aid certificate update them every year? 3

"What about a nurse?" Nurses are brilliant but not all nursing is equal. With a potential collapsed lung, someone in mental health/pediatric nursing isn't going to be as much help to me as you'd think. It's not their fault at all, it's just their specific training. 4

Paramedics are trained specifically in pre-hospital trauma which is exactly what wrestling injuries are. Traumatic injury to the body and a lot of them are time critical! (Google "Tension pneumothorax" or "Cardiac Tamponade" and be suitably freaked out at how easy it can happen)5

Even at training, coaches should have more than just the basics. Advanced first response courses with Basic Life Support are not expensive and could save someone's life. Hell, having an AED on-site in training schools would be amazing! 6

I know it's an extra expense that promoters might overlook, but if people are really committed to keeping performers/trainees safe, we need to start thinking about this side of the shows/training as well. Grabbing whoever is available for the sake of cost just won't cut it. 7

(As an aside, shout out to @DiscoWrestling and @ProWrestlingEVE who always had a Paramedic on-site when I was there.)