Invited clinical suggestion: "on the sidelines"- emergency care basics for the sports physical therapist.

An integral part of the responsibilities of the sports physical therapist is emergency care that is provided on the sidelines and courtside during athletic events. Often times, the sports physical therapist is the "most medical" individual present at athletic events, especially at high school, middle school, and club level events. The sports physical therapist is looked upon to provide appropriate care in the event of an injury to or sudden illness of an athlete, or in the event of an unexpected medical emergency that arises in members of the coaching staff, officials, and fans.