BlazeSports Institute for Applied Science CDSS Level I Curriculum 1

Managing Risks In Sport Training & Fitness Programs for Athletes with Physical Disability 2

We would like to thank Dr. Jackie McParlane for her contributions to the content of this presentation. 3

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Identify risk factors in sport Identify the process involved in Risk Management. Identify the nine Legal Duties of coaches 4

PROGRAM EVALUATION FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 5

DEFINITIONS Legal Liability – the responsibilities and duties between persons that are enforceable by the court Negligence – failing to fulfill your legal duty Contributory or Comparative Negligence 6

DETERMINING NEGLIGENCE Did you have a legal duty to the injured party? Did you fail to fulfill that duty? Was there injury to the party to whom you owed the duty? Did your failure to fulfill the duty cause the injury? 7

WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF RISK MANAGEMENT? To produce the safest environment possible for your athletes and others and to avoid litigation. 8

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WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF RISK MANAGEMENT? 10

WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF RISK MANAGEMENT? 11

RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks Evaluate the Risks Select an Approach to Manage Risk Implement the Approach 12

RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks Evaluate the Risks Select an Approach to Manage Risk Implement the Approach 13

RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks –General Hazard Categories Blood borne pathogens Cardiac arrest Child protection issues * Heat related illness Lightning safety Sport related trauma (injury) Vehicular accidents and injuries 14

RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks –Program Specific Potential for Risk What programs do you offer and what unique risks are involved? 15

RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks Evaluate the Risks Select an Approach to Manage Risk Implement the Approach 16

RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Evaluate the Risks –Statutory Mandates –Industry Standards –Cost –Probability of Risk –Severity of Risk 17

RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks Evaluate the Risks Select an Approach to Manage Risk Implement the Approach 18

RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Select an Approach to Manage Risk –Repair equipment –Replace equipment –Purchase new/additional safety equipment (AED, first aid kits,etc) –Staff training –Discontinue program 19

RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS Identify the Risks Evaluate the Risks Select an Approach to Manage Implement the Approach 20

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 1.Properly plan the activity 2.Provide proper instruction 3.Warn of inherent risks 4.Provide a safe physical environment 5.Provide adequate and proper equipment 6.Match your athletes appropriately 7.Evaluate your athletes for injury and incapacity 8.Supervise the activity closely 9.Provide appropriate emergency assistance 21

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 1. Properly plan the activity 22

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Properly plan the activity 1.Develop a season plan using progressions 2.Test athletes to determine skill level and capacity 3.Written practice plans 4.Adapt plans to individual needs/skills of athletes 5.Keep records of planning and testing 23

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 2. Provide proper instruction 24

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Provide proper instruction 1.Teach skills and rules with customary methods and development level of your athletes 2.Know current standards for sport and use them 3.Instructions should be clear, complete and consistent 4.Supervise all instruction delegated to others 25

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 3. Warn of inherent risks 26

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Warn of inherent risks 1.Warn athletes and parents of risks so they know, understand and appreciate them 2.Meet with team to explain risks, followed by repeated warnings in practices, program and competition 3.Use written notices, signs, releases, videos and repeated warnings to make use they understand the risks 4.Participation agreements 27

PROGRAM EVALUATION FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 28

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 4. Provide a safe physical environment 29

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Provide a safe physical environment 1.Note and remedy hazardous conditions 2.Develop a facility/equipment inspection checklist 3.Remove/Change conditions and Report 4.Facility rules posted and reminded 5.Monitor changing environment 30

THE VENUE Venue Walkthrough Accessibility Restroom Facilities Water availability Identify Hazards Is there an AED? Card Facility Address Phone number Location within the facility 31

The “Basics” needed at each venue or program: 1.First Aid Kit or Athletic Training Kit (stocked) 2.Phone (that is charged & gets service) 3.Water 4.Snacks 5.Cups & Straws 6.Ice or ice packs 7.Large Plastic Bags 8.Tool kit that includes a tire pump & repair kit 9.Athlete & Staff participation forms 10.Burn Bag THE VENUE/THE PROGRAM 32

What are the potential weather emergencies in your area: Heat Tornado Hurricane Lightning Flooding Snow Emergencies Policy for canceling an event Communication plan to notify participants Evacuation routes and procedures WEATHER EMERGENCY AWARENESS & PROCEDURES 33

You are responsible for the safety of your spectators –Viewing area –Access to water –Protection from the environment –Emergency Medical Care Medical Care for Spectators –Assigned personnel for large events –Coaches, staff for smaller activities SPECTATORS 34

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 5. Provide adequate and proper equipment 35

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Provide adequate and proper equipment 1.Buy the best equipment you can 2.Teach athletes how to fit, use and inspect equipment 3.Inspect equipment regularly 4.Athlete use of personal equipment 5.Qualified people to install and repair 6.Warn athletes on hazardous equipment 7.Be aware of improving equipment standards 36

Implements –Shot put, bats, balls, etc. Appropriate size, weight Well maintained Protective Equipment –Helmets, masks, padding, eyewear, etc. Available Properly sized and fitted Use is supervised EQUIPMENT 37

Sports Chairs –Properly sized, fitted, and maintained –Strapping –Proper use is taught –Anti-tip bar(s) Aids –Ramps –Rests –Gripping aids EQUIPMENT 38

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 6. Match your athletes appropriately 39

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Match your athletes appropriately 1.Match according to size, age, maturity, skill and experience 2.Modify drills or practice 40

PROGRAM EVALUATION FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 41

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 7. Evaluate your athletes for injury and incapacity 42

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Evaluate your athletes for injury and incapacity 1.Pre-participation physical exams 2.Keep medical histories on file 3.Use extraordinary judgment determining when injured athletes should not participate 4.Get both medical and parental approval for return to participation 43

General contact information Emergency Contacts Health Conditions Primary and Secondary Disability Medications and recent surgery Allergies Immunization status including tetanus Implanted devices Signed consent for participation If traveling: authorization to seek medical attention for a minor ATHLETE INFORMATION 44

Evaluation of athletes general health Evaluate fitness level Areas of predisposition to injury Areas requiring close supervision Areas in need of further medical evaluation Should be conducted every 2 years, and if any health condition changes ATHLETE PRE-PERFORMANCE EXAM 45

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 8. Supervise the activity closely 46

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Supervise the activity closely 1.Always provide supervision 2.Provide increase supervision when teaching new skills or when risk of injury increases 3.Use of educated coaches who know the sport 4.Do not condone reckless or overly aggressive behavior 47

Program Coordinator Support staff as needed for the size of program: Administrative Support Program Assistants Coaching Staff Sport Psychologist/Mental Skills Coach Team Physician Athletic Trainer, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist Orthotist & Prosthetist PERSONNEL FOR THE PROGRAM 48

Participation form –Emergency Information –Emergency Contacts –Medical History, Medications, Allergies On-going training of staff –Orientation & safety protocols –Management of emergencies –On-going training of athletes –Certification programs COACHES & STAFF 49

Participation form –Emergency Information –Emergency Contacts –Medical History, Medications, Allergies Background check Training –Orientation & safety protocols –Certification for regular volunteers VOLUNTEER 50

Participation form –Emergency Information –Emergency Contacts –Medical History, Medications, Allergies Responsible for athlete safety on field of play OFFICIALS 51

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES 9. Provide appropriate emergency assistance 52

COACHES’ LEGAL DUTIES Provide appropriate emergency assistance 1.Obtain a consent form for all athletes 2.Protect from future harm 3.Provide appropriate first aid and/or CPR as needed 4.Activate your emergency plan 5.Transfer treatment 6.Complete injury report form 53

Minimum Requirement: –Coach(es) and/or staff must have Current training as a First Responder and Basic First Aid Current training in CPR & AED Develop a “Medical Committee” for your teams and large events Develop relationships with Emergency Response Teams/Services MEDICAL COVERAGE 54

Recognize when a medical emergency exists Quickly assess the situation Call emergency services Initiate First Aid MEDICAL EMERGENCY AWARENESS & PROCEDURES 55

WAIVER FORMS 56

WAIVER FORMS 57 Minors can not enter into a contract and parents can not waive minors right to sue Courts reject contracts to waive negligence Often considered a violation of public policy to require a release prior to participation in a sport

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS VS. WAIVER FORMS 58

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS 59 Not a contract, but a signed document stating your athletes: Understand the dangers inherent in the sport; Appreciate the consequences of the risk involved, including the risk of injury and death; Know the rules and procedures and the importance of following them; Knowing all this, request to participate in the sport.

PROGRAM EVALUATION FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 60

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PROGRAM EVALUATION FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 62

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PROGRAM EVALUATION FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULTS OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 64

Questions?? 65

Thank You 66