LIHU‘E — It may become a little tougher for those who fight for a living. Lawmakers are proposing to let promoters of mixed martial arts events get away with not having an ambulance ready in case there is a medical
LIHU‘E — It may become a little tougher for those who fight for a living. Lawmakers are proposing to let promoters of mixed martial arts events get away with not having an ambulance ready in case there is a medical emergency.
In the state of Hawai‘i, organizers of MMA events must meet a set of eight conditions to obtain a permit for an MMA event.
Condition No. 5 assures “written confirmation that an ambulance with paramedics and appropriate security have been obtained and will be present at all times at the venue of the mixed martial arts event.”
House Bill 370 proposes to strip from the law the requirement of “an ambulance with paramedics.”
Louis Soltren has worked in many MMA events on Kaua‘i as a cutman, the guy who helps doctors when fighters have minor cuts.
He said he is in favor of anything that would help fighters to avoid further damage in case of serious injury.
“I think it should be mandatory for the ambulance to be there,” Soltren said.
The bill was referred to two House committees.
A hearing at the House Health Committee is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in House conference room 329.
The House Consumer, Protection and Commerce Committee has yet to schedule a hearing.
Visit www.capitol.hawaii.gov for more information or to send testimony through email.
