Pickleball Magazine 4-1 Ambassadors | Page 73

ess, be socially a tr s r u o y e g a n a Keep moving, m ds like the doctor has ordered active—soun ICKLEBALL ! And don’t forget to ! daily dose of P get the proper amount of sleep eat smart and Pickleball players must ask themselves—and their doctor—if they are physically fit enough to play the sport. If so, remember that even the best-conditioned athlete should warm up before playing and cool down afterward. In addition to proper conditioning, warm-up and proper clothing/equipment, there should be another “pickleball prerequisite.” February is American Heart Month. I’m urging all players to dedicate two hours out of their lives to taking a CPR/AED course, so they can save a life. I’m asking all ambassadors, pickleball club presidents, facility and venue managers, tournament directors and anyone else involved in organizing pickleball playing opportunities to set up a CPR/AED course for their players. After losing three of our players, I reached out to the American Heart Association to schedule a CPR/AED instructor to administer a class. Twenty-five players signed up for the course, which was held at a local church in a room large enough to accommodate all the participants (plus the “Resuscitation Annies” and other necessary equipment). Reflecting on my role as an ambassador, this was one of the simplest, yet most important tasks I’ve done to serve my community. All participants were happy they took the course and now feel fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to handle a life- threatening situation. I also urge all playing facilities and venues to have an AED. If you don’t, there are grants available to help cover some of the costs. Visit www.AEDGrant.com for an application. Why not add this to your list of Pickleball Prerequisites! Please call the American Heart Association Instructor Network at 877.242.4277 (option 2) to arrange for an instructor to come and offer a course, or to learn where a CPR/AED course is being offered near you. • ZERO ZERO SAVE! SAVE 15% ON ANY AMAZIN’ ACES PRODUCT W W W. A M A Z I N AC E S .C O M A M A ZIN ’ PA D D L E S. A M A ZIN ’ P RI C E S. USE CODE USAPAMAG AT CHECKOUT TRAIN LIKE A PRO Early War ning Sign s S ome heart attacks can be sudden the America and intense n Heart Ass , but ociation sa start slowly ys most he , with mild a rt a p ttacks a in to your bod or discomfo y and call 9 rt. Pay atte -1 n tion -1 3 Chest d if you expe rience: iscomfort. M o st heart attack discom fort in the s involve center of th than a fe e chest tha w minutes— t lasts more or it may g return. o away and It can feel then like uncom squeezi fortable pre ng, fullness ssure, or pain. 3 Discom fort in othe r areas of th Sympto e upper bo ms can incl dy. ude pain o both arm r d iscomfort in s, the back one or , neck, jaw 3 Shortne or stomach ss of breath . . This can o chest d ccur with o iscomfort. r without 3 Other si gns. Other possible si out in a gns includ cold sweat, e breaking nausea or lightheade dness. PICKLEBALL PRACTICE ANYTIME ANYWHERE Replicate virtually any shot in the game with an RTS rebounder! • • • • Six models available Adjustable panel angles All-steel frame Perfect training aid for camps and clinics Pickleball Rebounders www.rtsrebounder.com JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 | MAGAZINE 71