1. Emergency Action Plans & Lightning Safety
By Andrew Johnson M.A., ATC, LAT, ITAT
Gwinnett Medical Center ATC
Providence Christian Academy ATC

2. What is an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
An unexpected, serious, and/or dangerous situation
Something urgent above your training or comfort
What is an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
General written guidelines for a plan of action for various Emergency Situations
Helps individuals involved to be prepared as much as possible
Cannot plan for all situations
Should be modified for each venue
Should be displayed in a visible location at each venue
Make sure all equipment/supplies are up to date
Soon after each incident a review to make improvements/changes

3. Who is involved in the EAP?
Each emergency situation is different
Most trained individual is in charge
Sports Medicine Team Including:
Doctors, Athletic Trainer, Coaches, Team Parent(s), Administration, EMS, etc.
All involved should have a copy of the EAP (Know It)
Know your limitations
DO NOT do something you are not trained to do

4. Roles in the EAP In an Emergency Scene Safety first
Determine if an Emergency
Designate someone to call 911
Designate someone to get AED
Designate someone to meet EMS at gate
Provide Care until someone of higher training arrives
Monitor:
A, B, C’s (airway, breathing, circulation)
Level of Consciousness
Pupils
Skin Color
Movement
Abnormal Neurological Responses (ex: numbness, tingling)
Etc.
In an Emergency
DO NOT Give any medicine or liquid Unless Prescribed

5. What to give dispatcher:
Name, exact address, and your phone number
Type of emergency, Medical or Non-medical
Number of injured athlete(s)
Condition of injured athlete(s)
Specific Directions to location
Ex: come to south entrance
Name and location(s) of athlete(s)
Any first aid being given
Any information requested by dispatcher
DO NOT Hang up until told to by dispatcher

6. Equipment possibly needed in the EAP?
Emergency Information for all Athletes
Medical History
Current Medications
Emergency Contact Information
Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
First aid kit
Glove, Band-Aids, Gauze, etc.
Splint Bag
Epi-pen (if prescribed)

7. Research and Emergency Situations
EAP should be reviewed regularly
Minimum yearly by everyone involved
Just having a an EAP is not enough
Implementation and Practice are also key components
911 should be activated as quickly as possible
Even with pre-participation physicals, emergencies arise including
Cardiovascular diseases
Sudden Death
Early Defibrillation is critical in cardiac emergency
The goal should be within 3 minutes

8. Emergency Examples: Pain in spine Unconscious athlete Open Fracture
Closed Fracture
Dislocation
Anaphylaxis (bee sting or food allergy)

9. Lightning Safety Set person(s) to monitor the weather
When should I get to safety:
If you can hear thunder or see lightning you are in range to be struck
GHSA and NFHS (National Federation of State High School Association) Guideline
Lightning can strike up miles away (“Bolts from the Blue”)
You can get stuck even if not raining
Can be after lightning hits ground travels through your feet
If someone is struck, the individual does not carry a charge
When is it safe to return outside
Wait 30 minutes from last lightning and/or thunder to return outside

10. Lightning Safety Continued
Where should I go
Safest place is in an in-closed building with electricity/plumbing
2nd safest place is in can enclosed structure like a car
Even if indoors at risk of being struck
Never be in an open air building like gazebo or under bleachers