EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

Athletic Trainers must be properly equipped and trained for any medical crisis or disaster that may arise (emergency preparedness)Emergency action planProper coverageEmergency equipmentSupply maintenanceAppropriate medical personnelContinuing education

Emergency Action Plan Written action plans deal with injuries in a

systematic, logical manner that helps avoid missteps and mistakes

Customized to fit the needs of the organization

Needs to be practiced and reviewed with all staff who are involved

Specify needs for emergency personnel, communication, equipment, and transportation

Roles should be clearly outlined

All members of staff are responsible for knowing and being able to implement the EAP

Immediate care provided by most qualified staff present

One member should be assigned to call 911Emergency medical service

○ personnel trained in basic or advanced life support○ ambulance or equipped emergency vehicle to

transport injured athlete to hospital

Activating EMS Need to have a working relationship

between sports medicine staff and emergency medical personnel

Working telephone must be availableMust have a back up plan for

communication

Communicate to EMSName, address, and phone number of caller’s

locationNumber of athletes injuredCondition of the injured athleteCare and treatment currently being providedSpecific directions to sceneOther information requested by dispatcher

Emergency Equipment All equipment needed to handle an emergency

situation must be on site or readily availableStretcher/backboardNeck braceSlingsSplintsCrutchesAED

Individuals providing care must be knowledgeable in the use of the equipment

Transportation EMS providers and ambulance should be

on standby at any event where there is a high risk of injuriesFootball games always have EMS providers

and transportation onsite Must have clear access to the site

Entering and exiting should be done without any delays

Unstable injured athletes should never be transported in a vehicle that is not properly equipped

Identifying a medical emergency Defined medical

emergency Medical illness or traumatic

injury that has the potential to be life-threatening or progress to a life-threatening event in the absence of treatment

Not breathing Severe bleeding No pulse

Concussion with loss of consciousness

Neck or spinal injuryFracturesDislocationsEye injuriesSevere asthma attackHeat-related illnessShock

Non-emergencyAny medical illness or injury that does not pose a serious

threat to life or limbAbrasionsMinor cutsMuscle strainsLigament sprainsMinor concussions without loss of consciousnessContusionsTendonitis

All injuries must be reported to medical staff no matter how serious the condition

Emergency Medical Cards Athlete must have up to date information on

file Contains important medical information that

could be used in an emergency situation.Hospital preferenceFamily doctor’s phone numbersParental permission to treat and transport

http://www.heartrescuenow.com/

People Involved and their roles Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)

First responder to athlete down on fieldCall 911 if a life threatening emergency

Athletic Training Student (ATS)Call 911 if a life threatening emergencyGet athlete’s file and call parents

CoachExplain to the team what is going on and keep

them occupiedTalk to parents

AdministratorsDeal with media/pressConcerned parents calling the school

EMSTransport athlete to hospital

ParentsTransport athlete to hospital if non-life

threateningCall 911 if they are a bystander at practice

Emergency Equipment Stretcher/backboard Neck brace Slings Splints Ice Cell phone Crutches Medical Kit EAP

Communication Cell phone (not always reliable) Land line phone (need to know where

one is for each venue) Radio/walkie talkie verbally (yelling) hand signals

Phone Numbers 911 Team physician Athletic trainers School Athletic training students Administration/Athletic Director

Emergency Action Plan - Map School Football Stadium Field House 2 Practice Fields Baseball Field Softball Field 4 Tennis Courts Gymnasium Weight Room Entrance and Exit for

each venue

2 ATR’s – gym and field house (*)

3 Parking Lots Main Entrance and

Exit from road onto school property

Outline each venue in a different color

Outline roads, parking lots and exits in black