Garry Smits

gsmits@jacksonville.com

The Players Championship First Aid committee — 250 strong, all in the health care or emergency response fields — are ready for almost any accident or ailment that can happen with more than 200,000 people attending an outdoor event spread out over more than 400 acres.

Heat stroke, sprained ankles, bee stings, skinned knees and the effects of too many adult beverages are the most common cases.

But this year, the large First Aid tent located behind the eighth green of the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is equipped for something else — the coronavirus.

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“We’re ready for anything, and I think we’re ready if anyone shows the symptoms,” said 25-year Players volunteer Nancy Crain, a physician’s assistant at the Mission House in Jacksonville Beach and the assistant chairman of the Players First Aid committee.

The large temporary structure that houses the main First Aid facility is more than quadruple the size of the trailer that used to be located near the old Players volunteer center, behind the TPC Clubhouse. It came into use last year when the tournament moved back to March after 12 years in May.

There are four treatment bays, with one dedicated to the most traumatic of situations — such as the heart attack a fan suffered last year.

But that bay also will be used for any fan who comes to the First Aid center complaining of fever, cough and shortness of breath, the three main symptoms of the coronavirus.

Crain said after it has been established that a fan has a fever, they will be asked if they recently traveled to an area that has “widespread or sustained community transmission,” or has had close contact with a laboratory-confirmed coronavirus patient.

If the answer to either question is in the affirmative, the patient will be transported to Baptist Beaches, where samples such as cheek swabs will be sent by courier to the nearest testing facility.

There are few concerns over patients being forthcoming about their information.

“Most people are going to be honest, because they’re frightened,” said Dee Williams, a registered nurse and Players volunteer.

The main First Aid center and the four located on the golf course (behind the fourth tee, near the ninth green, near the 10th tee and between the 12th and 15th holes) also are stocked with hand sanitizers and wipes, plus masks for those treating anyone showing coronavirus symptoms.

The First Aid committee includes doctors, nurses, physicians assistants, paramedics, firefighters and pharmacists. There are 10 vehicles used for transporting patients from the far reaches of the golf course to the First Aid tent, and the committee has eight Defibrillators.

Fans who feel ill are urged by The Players not to attend the tournament. But if they fall ill while they’re at the TPC Sawgrass, any volunteer can direct them to a first-aid station or call for immediate assistance.