So, you’re wondering what an athletic trainer is and what we do? You’re not alone. I get this question all the time. You know when you’re watching sports, and someone gets hurt? I’m the person in khakis with a fanny pack who runs onto the field to assess the situation. In this moment, I am evaluating the injury, making a determination if they can safely continue playing, or deciding if they need to be pulled from the game for their safety. In the case of suspected concussion, I first evaluate level of consciousness. How alert are they to person, place and time? Then I evaluate their symptoms. Are they immediately dizzy or off balance? Do they have a headache or nausea? Are there any red flags, like vomiting, that necessitate emergency medical care? If they need to be pulled from play, we implement the concussion protocol for their league. This involves evaluation by a medical doctor and appropriate therapies for safe return to participation in practices and games.