Planning for Emergencies

 Document that provides direction for each staff member in determining the appropriate course of action when responding to an injured athlete

 Who is in charge of assessing an injury and beginning first aid?  Where is the nearest phone and what type is available?  Who will call for the ambulance?  Who will control the crowd?  Who will bring supplies and equipment and what supplies are needed?

 Who will transport or assist the athlete from the field of play?  What is the safest and easiest access to the area of the injured athlete for the emergency services to use?  Who will direct the emergency services to the injured athlete?  Who will notify the parents that their athlete has been injured?

 If more than one athlete is injured, what area will be used to sort the severity of injuries, and how will the athletes get to this facility? ◦ Triage: making the decision about which injuries must be treated first and there is a designated area  What personnel are available in the even of a mass casualty?

 Who will make out an accident report form and get statements from witnesses?  How will the emergency medical response team work around known obstacles?  How will the crisis plan change for each facility?  How will various facilities be evacuated?  What should be done if someone forgets what to do?

 Who should talk to the press?  Who will give counseling to those who need it?

 Give your name and title  Give the address and exact location of the injured  Give the nature of the injury and what you need  Tell them what is being done for the injured person and qualifications of the caregiver

 Give the phone number from where you are calling  Give the nearest crossroads (and the best entrance to facility)  Tell them how many people are injured  Do not hang up until the dispatcher does (or tells you to do so)

 Sideline Signals ◦ can be used so that prompt care of the athlete can occur. All medical personnel on the sidelines should know the signals in the event of an emergency  Items needed in an Emergency ◦ Walkie-talkie/cell phone ◦ Kit ◦ Ice ◦ Crutches