Athlete Safety & Injury Prevention Flashcards
7 cards from real ASCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Athlete Safety & Injury Prevention flashcards as text
What is relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) and why is it particularly relevant for competitive swimmers?
Answer: A condition where energy intake is insufficient to support training demands, impairing health and performance
RED-S occurs when caloric intake fails to meet the energy cost of training, leading to hormonal disruption, bone stress injuries, immune suppression, and decreased performance.
When performing a pool deck emergency, in what order should a coach follow the Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
Answer: Recognize the emergency, activate EAP/call EMS, provide care until EMS arrives
The EAP sequence is recognize the emergency, activate EMS (call 911), and provide appropriate care (CPR/AED) until professional help arrives.
What is the significance of the 'golden hour' concept in aquatic emergency response?
Answer: Survival outcomes improve dramatically when definitive care is provided within the first hour of a life-threatening emergency
The 'golden hour' emphasizes that rapid intervention—especially within the first few minutes for cardiac arrest—dramatically improves survival rates.
Which sun safety measure is MOST effective at reducing UV exposure risk during outdoor practice?
Answer: Scheduling outdoor practices to avoid peak UV hours (10 AM–4 PM) when possible
Avoiding peak UV hours (10 AM–4 PM) provides the greatest UV reduction; sunscreen is a supplemental measure and should be reapplied every 2 hours.
A swimmer develops red, itchy eyes and skin irritation after a practice. Which pool chemistry parameter is the MOST likely culprit?
Answer: Combined chlorine (chloramines) from improper pH balance
Chloramines, formed when chlorine reacts with sweat, urine, and other organics at improper pH levels, cause eye and skin irritation in swimmers.
What is the recommended pool water pH range that minimizes both pathogen risk and swimmer discomfort?
Answer: 7.2–7.8
A pH of 7.2–7.8 keeps chlorine effective as a disinfectant while minimizing eye irritation and corrosive damage to equipment.
How should a coach handle a swimmer who discloses they are taking a daily prescription medication before a competition?
Answer: Advise the swimmer to verify the medication is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list and consult their physician
Coaches should advise athletes to cross-check medications against the WADA prohibited list and work with their physician to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if needed.