OhioHealth Sports Medicine has practiced specialty simulations at the Arnold Sports Festival for the past five years.
One of the prepared simulations this year is practicing the response to a cardiac event involving a bodybuilder. This simulation was added this year after 20-year-old bodybuilding coach Jodi Vance died of cardiac arrhythmia due to dehydration while in Columbus for last year’s festival.
“We cover everything from the emergency itself, to how do we get people there and where's the equipment to the egress and coordinating with Columbus Fire, even the communication team,” said Dr. Brad Gable, OhioHealth System's medical director for simulation. “Every aspect of it, we practice it from start to finish. So that way there's no problems on the day of the event.”
Other simulations this year involve a strongman dropping a weight on their leg and a multi-victim simulation. These simulations take into account issues such as dehydration, which is a common problem for many bodybuilders.
Columbus Fire and Police also attended the simulations to practice communication pathways.
Gable also offered advice to those who may experience a medical event outside of the Columbus Convention Center.
“Understanding your surroundings, your protocol process, some hotel phones don't dial out, so understand what it's like depending on where you're at,” Gable said. “Things like understanding where AEDs are and making sure that you understand how to do things that most people can do, like good CPR, calling for help, things like that.”
