Medical Time Out

[RogueFLIP]

Here's what happened:

Playing a USTA mixed doubles match, I hit behind my female opponent and she turned awkwardly to attempt to hit the ball and she hurt her back. She dropped her racket and grabbed her back. She was able to walk to the bench and sat down.

I identified myself as a physical therapist and offered to help her, but she refused so I let her and her partner (her husband) be. They went off the court, returning a few minutes later and she was able to continue playing.

My question is about Medical Time Outs:

1. As a licensed medical professional, would I be allowed to treat my opponent/teammate that injures themselves during a match?


2. Is there a protocol about evaluating or treating someone else playing a match on another court?

Obviously ethically, I couldn't just stand and watch someone take a tumble and lay on the ground without attempting to help, but if anyone knew the implications of doing that on my match would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[esgee48]

This may sound heartless, but you should do nothing except call 911. You never know what could be wrong or could go wrong in your attempt to treat an injury. Good Samaritan laws do exist, but do you want to chance a lawsuit? I wouldn't. Only thing I would do is offer water, help to a bench, wet towels, etc. If they are so injured they can't move, I wouldn't even try to move them unless they specifically asked for the help.

 

[r2473]

I've tried the "I'm a doctor" thing on women myself a time or two, but it never seems to work.

 

[RogueFLIP]

I've tried the "I'm a doctor" thing on women myself a time or two, but it never seems to work.

That's because you're leading with a lie, and most women have a very good BS meter.

Lead with the truth first, and you might find them more receptive.

So instead of "I'm a doctor" try:

"Listen, I'm not a gynecologist, but I'll take a look".

All the truth and with good intentions! :twisted:

 

[RogueFLIP]

This may sound heartless, but you should do nothing except call 911. You never know what could be wrong or could go wrong in your attempt to treat an injury. Good Samaritan laws do exist, but do you want to chance a lawsuit? I wouldn't. Only thing I would do is offer water, help to a bench, wet towels, etc. If they are so injured they can't move, I wouldn't even try to move them unless they specifically asked for the help.

I know my training and am confident of my skills. And I know my limitations.

Obviously if there's a loss of consciousness or lack of vital signs, 911 for sure.

But in this case, since I was there to witness the mechanism of injury and since she was able to walk to the bench, I knew it was something in my realm of potentially aiding.

I've aided and treated plenty of friends/strangers/players during my paintball/tennis days on the field/court.

My issue is not can I help, it's more AM I ALLOWED to help? This is my first year playing official USTA leagues, I'd hate to get myself or my team DQ'd or whatever by doing something I'm not supposed to do because I violated some protocol because say in the future someone asked for my help.

For example a someone sprains a finger and wants help. I have athletic tape. Am I allowed to tape that person if they ask and it's called for? Am I even allowed to give directions for self taping if I don't touch them?

Or true situation: Playing with friends, my buddy's mid-back spasmed. Lot of pain, hard to breath. Quick assessment and he couldn't rotate to one side because of it. Little muscle energy technique, plus an elbow into the spasm, and he was back to playing in less than 10 minutes. Would I be allowed to do that in an official USTA match?


Thank you for any insight.

 

[samarai]

its recreational play, if u offered and they accepted I dont see who would have a problem with it.

 

[esgee48]

Got it. Assuming that this is a league match, or a refereed match, get the TD, Umpire or other team captain to agree. If any of them agree to the MTO as well as your team captain, then go ahead and treat. If your captain says 'No, I think they should retire' then it's up to you as to whether you want to go with your captain or not.

If it is not a USTA or other league match, then go ahead and treat using your judgement, assuming their injured gives their OK.

 

[onehandbh]

I identified myself as a physical therapist and offered to help her, but she refused so I let her and her partner (her husband) be.

Did you offer deep tissue massage?

 

[stapletonj]

"Am I allowed to tape that person if they ask and it's called for"

Sure, I do it all the time. I just tape both their hands to their waist and say, OK, Let's play!

After all, I am a skilled attorney!

 

[tennis_ocd]

Last time I played mixed it was the guy who pulled his groin muscle deep in the third set and not his cute wife. There was no dilemma... I had to reach deep within to offer even a respectable degree of sympathy.

 

[jswinf]

its recreational play, if u offered and they accepted I dont see who would have a problem with it.

I agree. I suppose someone somewhere would be concerned that an evil medical professional might be all "ooh, let me help you with that...CRUNCH...oh, dear, it feels worse now? Guess you'll just have to default, then..." :twisted:

 

[NumbersGuy]

I think Rogue’s question is about the rules of tennis, not the wisdom of his/her offer.
If it’s your opponent, there is no rule that would prevent you from offering to help opponent or partner, or from actually helping should such offer be accepted. As far as time goes, the injured player has 3 minutes to return to play from the moment that treatment starts, if I remember correctly.
If it’s on another court, you could be defaulted if you’re not back in place ready to receive serve “at the reasonable pace of the server”, or (if your team is serving) within 20 seconds (if I recall correctly) of the end of the prior point.

 

[Cindysphinx]

I think Rogue’s question is about the rules of tennis, not the wisdom of his/her offer.
If it’s your opponent, there is no rule that would prevent you from offering to help opponent or partner, or from actually helping should such offer be accepted. As far as time goes, the injured player has 3 minutes to return to play from the moment that treatment starts, if I remember correctly.
If it’s on another court, you could be defaulted if you’re not back in place ready to receive serve “at the reasonable pace of the server”, or (if your team is serving) within 20 seconds (if I recall correctly) of the end of the prior point.

I think injury time-outs are 5 minutes in our league, but I don't know the rule for bleeding time-outs in league play.

IME, when someone is injured, everyone stops to assist or to gawk. I think if you were actually rendering medical aid on another court your opponents could default you for violating the continuous play rule.

This would happen shortly before they burn in hell for all eternity.

 

[samarai]

assistance

just be very careful if u decide to offer assistance. I had an opponent who knew I was medically trained asked for me to look at him and treat it after rolling his ankle. I looked at it and told him beyond a sprain, i just didnt have the diagnostic tools available to determine how bad of a sprain it was or if there was any fractures involved. told him he should wrap it, ice it, and stop play. he didnt like that suggestion so he continued play hobbling around. Kind of felt bad for him but that was his choice.

 

[struggle]

not sure the good samaratin law applies to trained medical folks?

seems like i recall such, not sure it's worth the risk. of course there are always exceptions.

 

[RogueFLIP]

not sure the good samaratin law applies to trained medical folks?

seems like i recall such, not sure it's worth the risk. of course there are always exceptions.

Good point. Thank you for bringing that up. I checked my state and I am covered under the Good Samaritan law.

That being said, I don't make decisions based on fear. If I can help someone, I will....just my nature.

As was pointed out before, I'm curious to know not whether I should or should not help, I wanted to know if the rules allow me to. And what protocols are to be followed pertaining to medical time outs.

"Know the rules so you know how to break them properly"
-Dali Lama :twisted:


I've emailed the USTA (duh on me) and I'll update this thread if and when they get back to me.

 

[RogueFLIP]

Has anyone asked their opponent to default bc they violated the time limit in a MTO?

I think injury time-outs are 5 minutes in our league, but I don't know the rule for bleeding time-outs in league play.

IME, when someone is injured, everyone stops to assist or to gawk. I think if you were actually rendering medical aid on another court your opponents could default you for violating the continuous play rule.

This would happen shortly before they burn in hell for all eternity.

I read in my section you get 15 minutes for bleeding time-outs.



Has anyone asked their opponent to default bc they violated the time limit in a MTO?