Of the 250,000 people who die each year in the United States of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), 5,000 and 7,000 are children, adolescents and young adults. The American Heart Association says that about half of the SCA victims have no prior symptoms of heart disease, and in the younger age group, the cause is almost always congenital heart defects. With each passing minute, the chance of an SCA victim surviving decreases by 10 percent.

Defibrillation shock-an electrical impulse through the heart-is the definitive treatment for SCA because it restores a normal heart rhythm. The American Heart Association says, "If CPR and defibrillation were more readily available and the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest increased from 5 to 20 percent, about 40,000 more lives could be saved each year."

As of mid-2001, all 50 states had enacted defibrillator laws or adopted regulations. In 2002, Congress incorporated the Community Access to Emergency Devices Act into the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act, and the bill was signed by President Bush on June 12, 2002. It authorizes federal grant money for the purchase and placement of AEDs in public places, and training for first responders in AED use and CPR.

On its website, the NATA has an official statement in support of AEDs. The statement reads, in part: "An AED program should be part of an athletic trainer's emergency action plan. NATA strongly encourages athletic trainers, in every work setting, to have access to an AED. Athletic trainers are encouraged to make an AED part of their standard emergency equipment."

Athletic trainers are often involved in the acquisition of AEDs, which typically cost $1,500 - $3,000 per unit. Few schools have AEDs budgeted, so funding comes from grants, special fundraisers, or donations from concerned individuals, businesses, medical organizations or service clubs.

Scott Barringer, ATC, is sports medicine coordinator for the Cabarrus County School District in North Carolina. Six years ago, Scott asked Northeast Medical Center in Concord, North Carolina to purchase AEDs for the school district, explaining that AEDs were not just for athletic purposes, but for the spectators from the community and surrounding area schools that attend the games and events at our schools. They voted to purchase 14 AEDs, one for every high school and middle school in the district."

All athletic trainers and health and PE teachers in the school district are trained as CPR/AED instructors, Scott says, and they train every coach as well as many other teachers and faculty members. "All our coaches must be current in their CPR/AED training," he says. "There's no guarantee that an athletic trainer will be close by if someone needs help."

The 14 AEDs in Scott's school district have not yet been called into action, he is pleased to report. "It's important to have AEDs available-but you hope you need have to use them," he says.

Web sites with information on AEDs include www.early-defib.org; www.sads.org (web site of the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation); americanheart.org; and redcross.org.

John F. (Jack) Cramer, son of company co-founder Frank Cramer, devoted his entire career to Cramer Products, Inc., and to the field of sports medicine. Jack died August 5, 2004, at the age of 86, but his memory lives on at Cramer Products through the standards that he set for quality, service and innovation.

Jack had a special interest in helping student athletes, as well as students who aspired to a career in sports medicine. Therefore, it is an honor to announce the establishment of the Jack Cramer Scholarship. The $2,000 scholarship, offered by Cramer Products in conjunction with the NATA's Secondary School Athletic Trainers Committee, will be awarded annually to a deserving high school senior planning to embark on a career as a certified athletic trainer in a high school setting. Interested applicants must have an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0; have plans to attend a university offering an athletic training education program providing eligibility to sit for NATA Board of Certification examination upon matriculation; be sponsored by an athletic trainer who is currently a member of NATA; and meet other eligibility requirements. Student applicants will write three short essays, submitted with an on-line application form. More information about the Jack Cramer scholarship and the eligibility requirements, as well as the downloadable application form, can be found on the NATA web site: http://www.nata.org/student/cramerscholarship.htm

John F. (Jack) Cramer, son of company co-founder Frank Cramer, was a man with a passion for athletic training. Born in 1918, Jack grew up in Gardner, Kansas, and attended Kansas State University where he was assigned the duties of head athletic trainer-while still a student! Jack spent his entire career with Cramer Products, Inc., starting in the early 1940s. He worked in sales, promotions, and advertising, and served as chairman of the board for 20 years. For many years, Jack demonstrated his creative abilities by contributing articles and sketches to Cramer Products' First Aider newsletter.

But Jack's passion for his profession went way beyond the walls of Cramer Products. His home was always open to athletic trainers traveling through the area, and he was known as a one-man job placement center. He always knew what athletic training jobs were available across the country, and knew which athletic trainers wanted to move or change jobs. Jack was considered a pioneer in the field of athletic training and sports injury care. In 1982, he was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame, and he was a founder and honorary member of the National Athletic Trainers Association.

Tape underwrap, or pre-wrap, is commonly used to treat sprains, strains and cuts. But Ron Cooper, ATC, athletic trainer for Olathe East High School in Olathe, Kansas, tells us what many athletic trainers already know: Cramer's Tape Underwrap makes an excellent patellar tendon strap!

Ron says, "I learned about this technique by watching other athletic trainers and by word-of-mouth. This use of underwrap has been around for at least 5-10 years."

The ease and simplicity of making a patellar strap from Cramer's underwrap is appealing to Ron. "It's simple to make," he says. "The athlete places the pre-wrap about 8-10 inches above the knee and wraps it around their thigh 10-12 times, as tight as they like. Next, the athlete's palms roll down over pre-wrap, creating a cord. Finally, just roll the strap down to desired spot."

Using underwrap for patellar tendon support has several advantages over straps or braces made specifically for that purpose. The biggest advantage, Ron says, is comfort. "Pre-wrap is flexible and form-fitting to the knee. Most purchased straps are connected by Velcro, which can irritate the underside of the knee causing pain and discomfort."

Ron also likes the control afforded by underwrap. "The level of tension and pressure is determined by the athlete, increasing comfort during the activity. The strap also stays in place better and longer. Purchased patellar straps are typically made out of neoprene, which get wet and slide when an athlete perspires. You'll see athletes tugging at the device, trying to twist it into place. But the pre-wrap is made of a foam substance that holds better to the athlete's body." Although neoprene holds heat and helps muscles stay warm, Ron says that sometimes neoprene straps feel almost too hot at times.

Cost is another plus for the underwrap strap. "A pre-made strap costs the athlete $20-$30," he says, "but schools usually buy underwrap in bulk. Even if athletes had to buy the pre-wrap themselves, a $3 roll would make quite a few straps."

The downside to the underwrap strap is that it must be recreated each time, Ron says. "Despite that, I rarely see athletes buying ready-made straps after learning to make them from underwrap." A patellar tendon strap of any type should not be used as a means of prevention, Ron reminds us. "The strap only helps relieve stress and pressure on an athlete's knee. Supports, braces, or straps can't replace the importance of flexibility and strength in the quadriceps and hamstrings. The goal should be to build stronger knees so the athlete won't have to wear a patellar tendon strap."

Ron recommends short arc movements-- where the knee doesn't go over the front of the foot--to improve strength and reduce stress on knees. "Parallel squats, where the hamstrings are at a 90 degree angle to the shin, put too much stress on knees and tear down the tissue supporting the patella."

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On January 23, the Sporting Goods Agents Association (SGAA) honored Cramer Products, Inc., with their Manufacturers Appreciation Award during their annual meeting in January. Gary Niland, SGAA immediate past president, presented the award to Tom Rogge, president and CEO of Cramer Products, Inc.

SGAA established the Manufacturers Appreciation Award in 1981 to recognize sporting goods manufacturers that have contributed an outstanding accomplishment to the industry. Nominations are made by SGAA members.

"We are very honored to receive this award," says Tom Rogge. "Our products are sold by 34 agents represented by the SGAA, so they must feel like we're treating them right! These agents report to Jack Patterson. It was especially nice that Gary Niland presented the award, because he is one of our key sales agents."

The feeling is mutual, Gary says. "Cramer Products was selected for this very prestigious award because of what they stand for. They constantly hold themselves to the highest standards in the industry. Cramer Products is all about professionalism, integrity, and great people. They treat everyone associated with their business with dignity and respect. Cramer was a unanimous selection for this award." Gary, who owns Gary Niland and Associates, says he has been associated with Cramer for nearly 23 years.

Skip Nipper is the current president of SGAA. He notes, "Nominations for the Manufacturers Appreciation Award must come from our membership, and we don't take them lightly because this is the highest honor we give to manufacturers. We don't necessarily give the award out every year. But we were very proud to give this award to Cramer because of the integrity and honesty they display in the marketplace. When the SGAA board met to discuss this award, the testimonials on behalf of Cramer were so positive. No one could think of a negative thing to say about them, so we just knew this is a top notch company."

SGAA was created in 1934 by a group of independent manufacturer's agents in the sporting goods industry. According to the SGAA web site, www.sgaaonline.org, the objective of the founders was "to create a spirit of mutual respect, esteem and cooperation among its members and allies." There are now more than 500 SGAA members who benefit from the organization's professional services and industry education.

Cramer Products Inc. would like to introduce Brian Matix to all readers of The First Aider who may not know him. Brian started working for Cramer last May, in the position of Regional Sales and Promotion Manager for the Midwest and Western Region. He is the counterpart to Neal Fink, who is Regional Sales Manger for the eastern half of the United States.

Before joining Cramer, Brian was with Sports Health for seven years, most recently as sales manager of a four-state territory. Over the years, he became acquainted with Tom Rogge, Jack Patterson and Neil Fink at Cramer...and as they say, one thing led to another...and on May 17, 2005, Brian became an employee of Cramer Products!

Needless to say, Brian's position requires a lot of travel. "I'm on the road a lot," Brian says. "Right now, my home is in Cincinnati, which isn't even in my territory! I hope to eventually move to the Midwest. I'd like to be closer to Cramer's home base of Gardner, Kansas."

Brian says that he drives to locations if he can get there in less than five hours. Anything over that, and he'll fly. Once he reaches his destination, he accompanies the area's independent sales representative on visits to sporting goods stores and other outlets that carry the Cramer line. Brian also calls on universities, high schools, and professional sports teams, promoting Cramer products.

Cramer's new Cold Shoulder Wrap is a big topic of conversation these days, Brian says. He's also learned that in pro baseball, Cramer's Co-Stretch Tape is used for alternative purposes including re-gripping bat handles, and shoe and wrist spatting. They also use it for wound coverage, Brian notes.

To be good at his job, Brian says he must be a good listener. "I learn a lot from our sales reps," he says. "We have some of the best people in the business representing our product line. What works in Minnesota might not work in California, so it's important to listen and observe."

Brian's father, a coach and athletic director, had a demeanor and philosophy reminiscent of Bobby Knight. Brian played basketball, football and baseball in high school, and played football at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio where he graduated with a degree in marketing. He was born in Indiana, and has a strong allegiance to the Buckeyes, as well as to Notre Dame, Duke, Oklahoma and Texas.

An admitted sports fanatic, Brian loves golf, and runs regularly. A shoulder injury has curtailed his participation in basketball, but he finds plenty of other cardio activities. Brian also is dad to two children, ages 12 and 9, and loves spending time with them.

"I'm people-oriented," Brian says. "I enjoy meeting people and building relationships. On top of that, I love sports. So this job combines what truly enjoy. I feel comfortable with Cramer. I am very happy to represent a company that is so well respected-the Cramer name speaks for itself."