NATA Pre-Conference Session
When Seconds Matter: Managing Cardiac, Head and Spine Emergencies in Sport
4.5 Category A CEUs


This 4.5-hour pre-conference session on emergencies in sport, held in conjunction with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), is designed for certified athletic trainers and team physicians. The program will focus on the management of three of the most critical emergency situations in sport: sudden cardiac arrest, head injuries, and cervical spine injuries. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary collaboration and coordinated roles among athletic trainers, physicians, and EMS personnel. The session will also highlight the importance of a well-developed and rehearsed Emergency Action Plan (EAP), established emergency protocols, and the use of the pre-event medical timeout to enhance preparedness and team communication. The conference will incorporate didactic presentations, case studies to facilitate integration of care concepts, and hands-on laboratory activities. Content will be grounded in evidence-based medicine and reflect current best practices in both sports medicine and emergency care.

Registered NATA meeting attendees have the option to add a one-day registration to the AOSSM Annual Meeting at a reduced rate of $365 per attendee, providing access on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

Discounted hotel information can be found on AOSSM's Housing Page, and for additional conference information, visit AOSSM's Annual Meeting site.

Pre-Conference Session Only
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. PDT
July 8, 2026

Members: Early $175 / Regular $200
Nonmembers: Early $475 / Regular $500

Register

Pre-Conference Session &
AOSSM One-Day Registration
July 8 & 9, 2026

Member: Early $540 / Regular $565
Nonmember: Early $840 / Regular $865

Register

Early Pricing Ends May 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CDT

Session Summary
*Session Information Subject to Change.

Objectives:

  1. Describe the pathophysiology, recognition, and immediate management priorities of sudden cardiac arrest, catastrophic cervical spine injury, and sport-related head injury in the athletic setting.
  2. Explain the critical components of an effective Emergency Action Plan (EAP), including personnel roles, equipment readiness, venue-specific considerations, and communication pathways among MDs, ATs, and EMS.
  3. Demonstrate appropriate interdisciplinary response techniques for airway management, spine stabilization, equipment removal, AED deployment, and head injury assessment through case-based and scenario simulations.
  4. Differentiate leadership roles and responsibilities of physicians, athletic trainers, and EMS providers during time-sensitive emergencies to optimize coordinated team performance.
  5. Evaluate the effectiveness of a pre-event medical time-out and emergency rehearsal in reducing response delays and improving patient outcomes during athletic emergencies.
  6. Develop a venue-specific, interdisciplinary emergency preparedness framework incorporating EAP review, role assignment, communication strategy, and post-event debriefing for implementation within participants’ own organizations.


Lectures:

  • Emergency Preparedness in Sport: Ron Courson, ATC
  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Sport: TBA
  • Management of SCA: TBA
  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest Case Study: TBA
  • Emergency Evaluation: TBA
  • Head Injury Management: Stan Herring, MD
  • Head Injury Case Study: Stan Herring, MD
  • Spine Injury Management: Ron Courson, ATC
  • Spine Injury Case Study: Ron Courson, ATC


Laboratory Stations:

  • SCA: high-quality CPR and AED
  • Automated CPR devices: Stryker LUCAS device, Zoll AutoPulse, Defibtech Lifeline ARM
  • Log Roll (supine and prone)
  • Multi-Person Lift
  • Full Body Vacuum Immobilization
  • SMR Packaging
  • Equipment Removal




2026 AOSSM PreCon Refund & Cancellation Policy

  • A Full Refund will be issued if requested by May 12, 2026.
  • A Full Refund Less a $50 Fee if requested by June 12, 2026.
  • Registration fees for cancellations received after Friday, June 12, 2026, are not refundable.

*All refund requests must be submitted in writing to education@nata.org and will be issued back to the original payment type.

Hotel Changes and Cancellations
Please note: Registration cancellations will not automatically cancel your hotel reservation. Any changes to your hotel reservation will need to be made directly through the AOSSM official designated hotels here. Reservations may be cancelled, or arrival and departure dates may be changed, until Friday, June 12, 2026, without charge. After this date, your credit card will be charged a one (1) night's room and tax deposit which is non-refundable. Guests who no-show, cancel, or reduce their dates less than 72 hours prior to check in will be charged one night's room and tax.

Conduct Policy

Those who take part in any NATA meeting or event, whether in-person or virtual, must treat each other with civility, courtesy and respect (both face-to-face and online). This means refraining from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior, materials, and speech. Failure to do so may result in removal from the event.

Disclaimer

It is the responsibility of athletic trainers to assure any techniques they perform are within the scope of their state practice acts. All materials presented in our educational programs are made available for educational purposes only. These materials are not intended to represent the only, or necessarily the best, methods or procedures appropriate for each situation discussed, but is intended to present an approach, view, statement or opinion of the authors or presenters that may be helpful or of interest to other practitioners. All presentations are the intellectual property of their respective authors and may not be used, reproduced, or repurposed without explicit written consent.

Non-Discrimination Policy

NATA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or age. NATA is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in all aspects of its continuing education activities. Participants who have special needs are encouraged to contact program organizers so that all reasonable efforts to accommodate these needs can be made.