ON BEING AN EMT AT CAGE FIGHTS

Over 20 years ago I became an EMT and have worked with all types of patients in a myriad of situations. For the last several months I have experienced the most unique of situations. Being on the venue of the injury prior to the injury occurring. Other than stand by status are high school football games I haven't done this. People actually go to this venue knowing that they could be injured and still keep going. They experience cuts , scrapes, abrasions, bloody noses, broken noses, broken ribs, broken collar bones, broken hands , tendon and ligament tears and blackouts.

You might ask where it is that people would go and willingly participate in something that they know might injure them . Maybe you have attended in person or watched on tv but these athletes are participating in cage fights.

I have witnessed these tests of human endurance and skill on television, but believe me , seeing it in person is a whole new level of understanding. When I hear the cage door shut and the ref yell "are you ready?" to the fighters, my senses go on high alert. Watching each bout step by step and blow by blow all the time wondering what if any injuries I might be called on to treat.

We start the evening by signing in and weighing each athlete, checking their pulse, respiration's and blood pressure. The fighters then begin their routine of warming up, pacing, chatting with other fighters , their support teams or just walking around listening to an ipod through head phones and totally shutting out the rest of the world while they wait for the fighters meeting.

Amazingly, so many of these fighters have a blood pressure reading that seems abnormal for someone of their age, size and athletic ability. But, after a while you recognize that it is the hype or adrenalin rush that puts the readings up there. Just as amazingly , after the bouts the fighters come to the check in area to have their pulse, respiration's and blood pressure checked again and often have a much lower blood pressure and their heart rates are barely raised. It is the building of tension and excitement in their system that puts their pressure in the ranges we see.

These athletes have a drive like any other athlete and have their own reasons for participating in this particular sport. Whether it be a love of the boxing , street fighting style, the sheer athleticism of the process, the discipline they develop, or have something to prove to themselves or the world they have a sheer determination to "get the job done" .

I have watched men and women from the small featherweights to the super heavy weights and they are all anxious to get in the ring and get it done.

Afterwards, the demeanor of the athletes is very different than their pre-fight demeanor. While previously they were jumping, bouncing , punching the air, and exercising, now they start the calm down process of accessing their performance, accessing their feelings and lastly aces sing their wounds. Whether they have minor injuries or broken bones, the majority of these performers have a wonderful attitude and more likely than not will reach out and shake hands or bump fight gloves with the person they just fought and tell them things like, you have a great right, you are good, or ask how long they have been training and all in all are friends .

So, while I am there to treat the various and sundry injuries and keep track of the athletes heart and blood pressure readings, I find that I learn a multitude of things from these well trained men and women . Determination, guts, hard work make for success in everything we try to do. And, most of all............... I LEARNED , "YOU GOTTA HAVE HEART". Thanks to all the athletes , their trainers and promoters for allowing me to experience this unique look at a unique sport.