While waiting for Barbara, my wonderful wife, at the doctor's office the other day, I ran on to a subject we should all bring up when we Golf Talk. It was in an article entitled "Do you know the symptoms of strokes?" in the May, 2008, issue of Lovin Life After 50, written by Holly Towne. According to the article, May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and the Arizona Department of Health Services is urging everyone to learn the warning signs of a stroke. So, let's do our part and discuss it here at the Golf Talk Club.
As I read, the question came to mind of what I would do if suddenly struck by the symptoms of a stroke while playing golf. Like many players, I probably would not recognize the onset of a stroke, but, just as importantly, I wouldn't have a plan for what to do if confronted by such an event out on the golf course. Here is what Holly says we all need to be aware of when we're out there trying to wack the cover off that maddening little sphere or just hanging around talking about golf:
"A stroke can occur when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing damage to a part of the brain. Symptoms may include:
- Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding what is being said to you.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause."
The most important thing for all of us to know is that action must be taken IMMEDIATELY to have a chance at reducing or limiting the damage to the victim's brain. Getting treatment soon after the symptoms are demonstrated can actually help the stroke sufferer to avoid loss of speech, paralysis, eyesight, etc.
If anyone in your golf party displays ANY of these symptoms, take action - don't just try to make him or her comfortable. Call 911 if you have a cell phone, or use a golf course field phone to call the clubhouse. Many cell phones have Global Positioning (GPS) capabilities, and 911 will be able to determine exactly where that phone is at that moment. They can either dispatch an ambulance or a helicopter to your location on the golf course, as well as give you instructions how to care for the victim while waiting for help.
A recent study of the incidence of death on golf courses has determined that there is no more correlation between the occurance out there than in a mall, taking a walk, playing tennis, having a beer, talking about golf, etc. However, a great many of us golfers are seniors with a higher risk of stroke or heart attack, and we need to listen to what our bodies are telling us while we're playing. The most important thing, again, is for the people on the scene - including the victim - to take action quickly.
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Contact: darabbitt@gmail.com
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Enjoyed reading your review of the Holly Towne article, "Do you know the symptoms of strokes?".
Makes me think there may be a range of simple and cost-effective strategies golf clubs can employ to their patrons' benefit as well as to their own.
One may be the use of something akin to a GPS tracker on the golfer or on the cart. Perhaps another is a laminated sheet tied to each cart. On it, in bullet points, are the key steps to take in the event of an emergency. Perhaps also installing an club specific pager on each cart is also a possibility.
There must a host of other strategies clubs can employ to insure a positively memorable personal experience on the links.