Sports Medicine

Athletic Training Room Hours (Monday - Friday)

• 12:30 – 2:30pm - ALL Injury evaluations, treatments, and rehabilitation
• 2 – 2:20pm - Tape for away games
• 2:45 – 3:30pm - Tape for home games/practices
• 3:30 – Completion of All Athletic Games - Athletic Trainer on the field for home games/practices

The athletic training room will be open at least 30 minutes prior to all home games (including Saturdays).

NO EVALUATIONS, TREATMENT, or REHAB will be done after school and/or on the field. Students should make it a priority to be in the athletic training room during lunch and/or free periods.

Injuries occurring DURING practice or games will be handled on the field as they occur.

ALL athletes MUST follow the posted schedule unless special arrangements have been made with the athletic trainer ahead of time!

Caroline Oakley - Head Athletic Trainer

Caroline Oakley started working at Germantown Academy in September 2022 when she joined the Sports Medicine team at NovaCare Rehabilitation. She graduated from Temple University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training and became a board certified athletic trainer.

Oakley has worked  for Villa Maria High School (PA), Downington East High School (PA), and Williston State College (ND) as an Athletic Trainer, but has also served as a Physician Extender at Brandywine Institute of Orthopaedics. She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Pennsylvania Athletic Training Society, and Eastern Athletic Trainers Society, and is CPR, AED, First Aid, and lifeguard certified. 

267-405–7499 | Email

Bruce McCabe - Associate Athletic Trainer

Bruce McCabe started working at Germantown Academy in September 2015 when he joined the Sports Medicine team at NovaCare Rehabilitation. He graduated from Rowan University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. He became a board certified athletic trainer and then went on to pursue his Master of Science degree from East Stroudsburg University for Athletic Training: Advanced Clinical Practice. During his time there he worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. While at East Stroudsburg University, Bruce earned a certification in Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). He most recently became certified as an Emergency Medical Responder by American Red Cross.

267-405-7238 | Email

The general assembly of Pennsylvania has passed House Bill No. 1610 which establishes standards for preventing sudden cardiac arrest and death in student athletes. Students participating in or desiring to participate in athletic activity, their parents, and coaches must be educated about the nature and risk of sudden cardiac arrest. A student determined by a game official, coach from the student's team, athletic trainer, licensed physician, or other official designated by the student’s school entity exhibits signs or of sudden cardiac arrest while participating in an athletic activity is required to be removed from participation at that time. The student may not return to play until the student is evaluated and cleared for participation by a licensed physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or cardiologist.

The purpose of this document is to provide you the information required by law relating to sudden cardiac arrest. If you have any questions, please contact the Athletic Training Services as 267-405 symptoms -7238.

What is sudden cardiac arrest?

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. Sudden cardiac arrest usually results from an electrical disturbance in your heart that disrupts its pumping action, stopping blood flow to the rest of your body.

Sudden cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to a portion of the heart is blocked. However, a heart attack can sometimes trigger an electrical disturbance that leads to sudden cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it causes sudden cardiac death. With fast, appropriate medical care, survival is possible. Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) — or even just rapid compressions to the chest — can improve the chances of survival until emergency personnel arrive.

Signs and Symptoms which may include one or more of the following:

• Racing heart, palpitations
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting or seizure, especially during or right after exercise
• Fainting repeatedly or with excitement or startle
• Chest pain or discomfort with exercise
• Excessive, unexpected fatigue during or after exercise
• Excessive shortness of breath during exercise or difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness

The following factors increase risk of SCA:

• Family history of known heart abnormalities or sudden death before age 50
• Specific family history of Long QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, or Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD)
• Family members with unexplained fainting, seizures, drowning or near drowning, or car accidents
• Known structural heart abnormality, repaired or unrepaired

If sudden cardiac arrest is suspected:

• Athlete should be immediately removed from play
• Seek a medical professional
• If needed, begin CPR
• If symptoms continue, call 911

The general assembly of Pennsylvania has passed Senate Bill No. 200 which establishes standards for managing concussions and traumatic brain injuries for student athletes. Students participating in or desiring to participate in athletic activity, their parents, and coaches must be educated about the nature and risk of concussion and traumatic brain injury. A student determined by a game official, coach from the student's team, athletic trainer, licensed physician, licensed physical therapist or other official designated by the student’s school entity to exhibit signs or symptoms of a concussion or traumatic brain injury while participating in an athletic activity is required to be removed from participation at that time. The student may not return to play until the student is evaluated and cleared for participation by an appropriate medical professional with a background in concussion management.

What can happen if my child/player keeps playing with a concussion or returns too soon?

Athletes with the signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after that concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one. This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even severe brain swelling (second impact syndrome) with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well known that adolescent or teenage athletes will often fail to report symptoms of injuries. Concussions are no different. As a result, education of administrators, coaches, parents and students is the key to student-athlete’s safety.

If a concussion is suspected:

Seek medical attention right away. A concussion specialist will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your child to return to sports. Keep your child out of play. Concussions take time to heal. Don’t let your child return to play until a concussion specialist says it’s OK. Children who return to play too soon—while the brain is still healing—risk a greater chance of having a second concussion. Second or later concussions can be very serious. They can cause permanent brain damage, affecting your child for a lifetime.

It is OK to:

• Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for head aches
• Use ice pack on head & neck as needed for comfort
• Eat a light diet
• Go to sleep
• Rest (no strenuous activity or sports)

There is NO need to:

• Check eyes with a flashlight
• Wake up every hour
• Test reflexes
• Stay in bed

Do NOT:

• Drive while symptomatic
• Exercise or lift weights
• Take ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications

If an athlete is on the field and suspected of having a concussion, he/she is removed immediately from play. The athletic trainer (ATC) will perform an on-field assessment. Once a concussion is confirmed, the ATC will give an informational packet to the parent or guardian containing educational materials and a list of local concussion specialists in the area. During the recovery process, the ATC will work with the physician to safely return the athlete to play using a graduated return-to-play program.

Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.

The National Athletic Trainer’s Association’s position statement calls for taking a rectal temperature of those suspected of having exertional heat stroke. “The only accurate measurements of core body temperature are via rectal thermometry or ingestible thermistors. Other devices, such as oral, axillary, aural canal and temporal artery thermometers, are inaccurate methods of assessing body temperature in an exercising person."

Symptoms of heat stroke include:

• Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness (coma)
• Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
• Seizures
• Very high body temperature
• Fatal if treatment delayed

First Aid
Take the following steps to treat a student with heat stroke:

• Call 911 for emergency medical care.
• Stay with student until emergency medical services arrive.
• Move the student to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing.
• Cool the student quickly with a cold water or ice bath if possible; wet the skin, place cold wet cloths on skin, or soak clothing with cool water.
• Circulate the air around the worker to speed cooling.
• Place cold wet cloths or ice on head, neck, armpits, and groin; or soak the clothing with cool water.

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Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. People most prone to heat exhaustion are those that are elderly, have high blood pressure, and those working/playing in a hot environment.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Irritability
• Thirst
• Heavy sweating
• Elevated body temperature
• Decreased urine output

First Aid
Treat a student suffering from heat exhaustion with the following:

• Take student to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment.
• If medical care is unavailable, call 911.
• Someone should stay with student until help arrives.
• Remove student from hot area and give liquids to drink.
• Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks.
• Cool the student with cold compresses or have the worker wash head, face, and neck with cold water.
• Encourage frequent sips of cool water.

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Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is a medical condition associated with heat stress and prolonged physical exertion, resulting in the rapid breakdown, rupture, and death of muscle. When muscle tissue dies, electrolytes and large proteins are released into the bloodstream that can cause irregular heart rhythms and seizures, and damage the kidneys.

Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include:

• Muscle cramps/pain
• Abnormally dark (tea or cola colored) urine
• Weakness
• Exercise intolerance
• Asymptomatic

First Aid

Students with symptoms of rhabdomyolysis should:

• Stop activity.
• Increase oral hydration (water preferred).
• Seek immediate care at the nearest medical facility.
• Ask to be checked for rhabdomyolysis (i.e., blood sample analyzed for creatine kinase).

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Heat Syncope
Heat syncope is a fainting (syncope) episode or dizziness that usually occurs with prolonged standing or sudden rising from a sitting or lying position. Factors that may contribute to heat syncope include dehydration and lack of acclimatization.

Symptoms of heat syncope include:

• Fainting (short duration)
• Dizziness
• Light-headedness during prolonged standing or suddenly rising from a sitting or lying position

First Aid

Students with heat syncope should:

• Sit or lie down in a cool place.
• Slowly drink water, clear juice, or a sports drink.

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Heat Cramps

Heat cramps usually affect workers who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body’s salt and moisture levels. Low salt levels in muscles causes painful cramps. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.

Symptoms

• Muscle cramps, pain, or spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs.

First Aid

Students with heat cramps should:

• Drink water and have a snack and/or carbohydrate-electrolyte replacement liquid (e.g., sports drinks) every 15 to 20 minutes.
• Avoid salt tablets.
• Get medical help if the worker has heart problems, is on a low sodium diet, or if cramps do not subside within 1 hour.

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Heat Rash

Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather.

Symptoms of heat rash include:

• Looks like red cluster of pimples or small blisters
• Usually appears on the neck, upper chest, groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases

First Aid

Students experiencing heat rash should:

• When possible, a cooler, less humid work environment is best treatment.
• Keep rash area dry.
• Powder may be applied to increase comfort.
• Ointments and creams should not be used.