Healthcare district gives first aid kits to THS teams

The Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District (TVHD) has donated six jam-packed first aid kits to the Tehachapi High School Athletic Department for the school's sports teams. The kits, carried in sturdy red canvas bags, will be with the teams when they play on the road and at home. "The District supports the health and well-being of the students," said Dr. Sam Conklin, a member of the TVHD board of directors and former THS football team physician. THS Athletic Director Pat Snyder will check out the kits to the coaches, who are trained to handle situations requiring first aid response. "It's awesome," Snyder said as he and girls JV soccer coach Melissa Jensen picked up the kits on Tuesday, Feb. 2 from the district office across from Tehachapi Hospital. The soccer coach originally proposed the idea. "Melissa came to me," Snyder said. "And we approached the district." Five or six teams may be competing on a busy sports day, so there will be enough kits to go around. Shown above left, l-r, Dr. Sam Conklin, THS Athletic Director Pat Snyder, TVHD clerk Mary Guenther, THS women's JV soccer coach Melissa Jensen and TVHD Executive Assistant Peggy Mendiburu. Right, the contents of each bag include Ace bandages, a moldable splint, flashlights, latex gloves, iodine wipes, antibiotic ointment, alcohol prep pads, saline eyewash, blood pressure cuff, adhesive tape, survival blanket, burn dressing, gauze pads, trauma dressing, CPR mask, bandage scissors, eye pad, hand wash, petroleum gauze strip and a first aid instruction manual.