New shoulder pad technology allows quicker access to injured players

Jun 20 2011

New Emergency Management Technology Allows Safer, Quicker Access to Injured Players

Riddell today unveiled a new shoulder pad technology that could significantly improve the way in which spine and head injuries can be treated on the football field. The Riddell RipKord is being featured at the National Athletic Trainer's Association (NATA) 62nd Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia this week in New Orleans.  RipKord will be offered in Riddell CPX (Custom Power Extreme) shoulder pads this season and will soon be available to players at all levels of football.

"Riddell has a history of maintaining the highest levels of protection in its football equipment," said Dan Arment, Riddell President. "RipKord's emergency management technology allows athletic trainers and medical professionals to treat severe injuries during a critical window of time by allowing immediate access to the chest and airways."

Removal of the shoulder pads and helmet continues to be challenging when treating injuries.  Doctors and athletic trainers are often hindered in their efforts to access the injury for x-rays and MRIs or when placing a cervical collar on an injured player.

When dealing with apparent spinal injuries, the removal of shoulder pads with RipKord can be accomplished by no more than two trained professionals without removing the player from a spinal board. Current procedures require six to 10 individuals to lift a player off a spinal board even before they can remove equipment for treatment or evaluation procedures.  By pulling a single cord, shoulder pads outfitted with RipKord can be quickly and easily removed by two trained professionals without elevating a player.

"The RipKord system is designed to provide a number of distinct advantages to athletic trainers and medical professionals when treating players on the field who have encountered head and spinal injuries," said Mike Kordecki, former Physical Therapist and Certified Athletic Trainer for the Chicago Bears and inventor of RipKord. "This new shoulder pad removal system allows improved access to an athlete's chest and airway in the event of a suspected head or neck injury.  We believe that shoulder pads manufactured with RipKord can significantly improve the ability to evaluate and treat severe injuries during the critical window of time."