Vital Call!
Coaches, Instructors and Ringside Medics
Mixed Martial Arts, The Martial Arts and Boxing (and all professional contact sports, or sports where contact occurs frequently), can not ignore it any longer.... Kyusho happens in the ring, on the mat, in the Dojo and on the street, all the time, we can no longer ignore the need for Kyusho First Aid methods.
As Trainers, Coaches and Judges, we need a greater and more protective education for those who place their trust and well being in our hands. We train so much to learn the rules of engagement and the recognition when a fighter can not continue, but we do not train (yet) to help the victim as we are the first responder and responsible for their well being.
The longer a man is down and out, the further the ramifications advance.
We go to Martial Arts Tournaments, we attend MMA bouts or watch them on TV (Mostly for the KO's), we attend or watch Boxing, we even see street clips on YouTube where someone gets KO'd. Unfortunately (especially in Amateur and Professional matches), we see minimal help from the coaches, ringside medics or even Instructors in the schools, know what to do to help restore and minimize the affects of the unconsciousness or physical dysfunction. This is not to say that the Medical attention they receive is not of value, but there is more that can be done, that is the vital point.
The 5 Vital Steps:
Recognition - First all personnel should be trained to see the understand and recognize when the Vital Targets are struck so they are better able to assess the problem as it occurs. This is not only based on seeing what structure of the body received the trauma, but also in how the body reacted to that blow. Was the body jerky or sporadic in actions with stiffening or collapse (indicating the nerve system was accessed)? Or did the body slowly fade or feint away which indicate the blood systems and or organs were also impacted?
Comprehension - The ring referee or coach as well as medics should be familiar with the various affects of nerve, blood, heavy trauma or organ functionality to aid in both the assessment process and the restorative measures. Does the coach know what was affected and to what degree, is there a chance that physical damage has occured, this can often times be observed in the reactions of the victim.
Assessment - the assessment must include; the body reaction as it falls, the impact on the ground, the breath, pulse, eyes and response to touch or inaction, prior to moving the victim. Are they breathing, are they conscious, is there a pulse, can they see or hear and what state is the body in, is it flat and limp or is it cramping into a fetal position. These assessments will determine the correct revival and restorative measures that should be employed.
Revival - (specific for condition), specific revival methods to awaken, restart the breathing, control the muscle spasm and more must be known and practiced well so that the affects and further issues can be mitigated. Unconsciousness and cessation of breath are the two most frequent dysfunctions that are experienced so at the minimum, coaches and medics have a responsibility to be able to restart these processes... before further fear, discomfort and or side affects manifest.
Restoration - Monitoring and balancing the bodies normal functionality to reduce further affects after the Revival for further affects or incapacitation, followed by medical intervention and care. After reviving the victim after an episode, many side affects can occur such as passing out again, pain, nausea, physical impairment, continued weakness, headache, shortness of breath and many other possibilities. With an understanding of the proper actions and methods to re-balance the victims stasis, the coach can help that individual back to a normal state faster, this must be a main priority.
Why it is necessary
I have been to tournaments where they left the victim of a KO to sit it out on the sidelines after just looking at the eyes and ears. This is insufficient and a real danger to the participants. They deserve more respect, greater level of care and better educated caregivers to minimize possible suffering and or damage to the victim.
But it does not need to be a Knockout, we have all seen plenty of people get the wind knocked out of them, as well as many feinting situations under heavy training or recieving a blow that cause a rapid change in the victims blood pressure. Or what about the body knockouts where they are downed, but not really out,just paralyzed with pain and physical dysfunction.
In professional fights Like Boxing, K-1 and MMA, there are many medical assessments and methods used before, during and after .... they do a great job of protecting the fighters... but could there be more they could do or work with in the case of impairment or KO? And if there is more to learn and be ableto increase the aid and relief to these victims, is it not the main responsibility for that coach, ref or medic?
In amateur fights or especially typical Karate, TKD, Kickboxing type venues, there is a huge gap in the care of the participants and here is where the real danger and need is.
Examples
Below are two of the many films you can find where better First aid was needed but lacking... they did not know what to do, this can be avoided.
This first Video we see a classic KO at a Karate Tournament, the length of time from assessment to assistance is far too long.
We can see the nerves of the jaw being struck by the kick and the contracting action of the body as it collapses, indicating nerve impairment, after the assessment for neck damage, the revival methods of the Kyusho practitioner would have awaken this individual and begun the healing process as opposed to allowing further manifestation.
This second video they did not know what to do and the victim could not breath, listen to the sound of the gasps. Again the length of time from assessment to assistance is far too long.
This man couldn't breath due to the sideways shock to his neck at C-3 and C-4 where the phrenic nerve initiates. It serves to control diaphragm and allow the normal contraction and extension of the muscle to allow the lungs to properly breath. This is a simple revival that would have saved this competitor much pain, fear and loss of oxygenation throughout the body.
People deserve better safety
We should demand more involved coaches and refs further educate themselves to the revival and first aid processes of Kyusho... what do you think? Post comments below.
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