Athletic Injuries 203: Emergency Procedures for the Sideline Physician | CCEDseminars

Athletic Injuries 203: Emergency Procedures for the Sideline Physician is a focused chiropractic sports medicine course designed for chiropractors who provide on-field and sideline coverage. When an athlete goes down, the team chiropractor must be prepared to lead a calm, organized response, from the initial survey through safe transfer and follow-up care.

This two-hour online program reviews essential sideline emergency procedures for the chiropractic team physician, including first aid, primary and secondary surveys, and assessment of head, spinal, and extremity injuries. Emphasis is placed on practical decision-making, communication with the sports medicine team, and scope-appropriate emergency management that supports athlete safety and return-to-play planning.

Estimated Completion Time

Approximately 2 hours (Video Format)

Course Topics

• Sideline preparation and essential emergency equipment
• Primary survey, secondary survey, and on-field triage
• Recognition and assessment of head and brain injuries
• Spinal injury assessment and stabilization considerations
• Extremity emergency procedures and red-flag findings
• Communication and coordination with EMS and coaching staff
• Documentation and follow-up planning after sideline events

Learning Objectives

• Review core sideline emergency procedures for the chiropractic team physician
• Apply primary and secondary survey methods to on-field injury assessment
• Identify key signs of head, spinal, and extremity emergencies that require escalation
• Integrate communication, documentation, and return-to-play considerations into sideline care

Course Structure

• Concise, scenario-based instructional modules
• Clinical examples focused on sideline decision-making
• Integration of emergency procedures, communication, and follow-up care
• Knowledge checks reinforcing practical application in sports settings

Quick Course Details

• Course Type: Online
• Credit Hours: 2
• Intended Audience: Chiropractors providing sideline or team coverage
• Format: Recorded online presentation with self-paced access
• Access: Pause and resume at any time
• Certificate: Available immediately upon successful completion
• Completion Window: Up to one year from date of purchase

About the Instructor

Dennis O’Hara, DC, DACBSP is a board-certified chiropractic sports physician with advanced training in sideline and event coverage. He has extensive experience managing acute sports injuries, coordinating care with athletic trainers and medical staff, and teaching chiropractors how to implement evidence-informed sideline emergency procedures.

Through his work with chiropractic sports medicine education, Dr. O’Hara helps clinicians build confidence in emergency preparedness, on-field assessment, and safe return-to-play decision-making.