ARE YOU PREPARED?
Instructors, have you ever tried to cover all the angles, I mean all the angles? It�s a hectic life making sure that you communicate your artform correctly. Being in charge of so many people who are willing and able to learn is a very serious job, a responsibility that should only be taken by someone with a vibrant love of the arts and an eagerness to want to teach, since students will be likely to teeter on your every word in a keenness to reach a standard of expertise.
However, the greatest teacher can be misconstrued by an over zealous student, and that�s when a situation can become dangerous. The lesson can be projected correctly but the eagerness of the student can create a very volatile situation.
About thirteen or fourteen years ago I recollect running a class whereupon all the students were allowed to spar with protective padding. We were trying to establish �the control� element, one of the hardest factors in Martial Arts to show a student. Because of the emotion and simple lack of control involved a student finds this the hardest aspect to gauge. Here is a world that is scary, fast and exhilarating.
On this particular occasion my attention was drawn to correct two students sparring using distancing and timing. My attention was redirected by two others that were going at it �hammer and tongs�. Then I noticed one of these students drop to the floor clutching his throat. Strangely, no other student in the class noticed this and carried on unaware. Fear filled me at that particular moment but I didn�t show it. What had happened was, they were sparring correctly, with all the correct padding, but one guy had kicked the other in the throat with a lead leg sidekick. The victim said he couldn�t breath and I thought (colour running from my face) perhaps his neck was broken. I wasn�t a medical officer and I hadn�t any prior training so I proceeded to cup my hands to the rear of the victim�s neck for support and had enough sense to check whether or not his airway was clear. I informed a junior instructor to quickly and discreetly phone for an ambulance. The guy that had thrown the kick was also in shock. It had been an accident. He had thrown the kick aiming for the head section and his opponent had simply leaned back to avoid it.
Confusion ensued, the ambulance came and I stopped the class so I could go to the hospital with the injured student. Once there everything calmed down. The student had been only jilted knocking the two floating bones of the throat out of alignment but he would recover unblemished.
The lesson was learned. However long you�ve been teaching something as physically and mentally demanding as a Martial Art, always endeavour to monitor your students� progression during group practise. I know you haven�t got eyes in the back of your head but you must be alert. Accidents can happen any time, it is the human factor. It doesn�t have to be from the sparring that accidents occur. Patterns, two steps, three steps, kicking in a group formation can lead to incidents if they lose their balance and bang their heads on the floor or strike one another.
I�m not trying to make anyone panic but at that time I had no specific medical awareness and I was unable to help properly. Since then I have integrated a yearly paramedic/martial arts programme into my association. Though I would not insist a student take it if they have prior medical experience.
Both my instructors and myself carry a first aid kit at all times. Fore-armed is forewarned.
It is easy to be �unprofessional� and declare �it will never happen to me, I�m too careful� but can you vouch for your students? It�s not a good thing to tempt fate. Preserve your students and set a good example, remember they will be the next generation of instructors.