2.  Athletic Trainers must be properly equipped and trained for any medical crisis or disaster that may arise (emergency preparedness) Emergency action plan Proper coverage Emergency equipment Supply maintenance Appropriate medical personnel Continuing education

3. 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

4.  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

5.  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 911 Emergency medical service ○ personnel trained in basic or advanced life support ○ ambulance or equipped emergency vehicle to transport injured athlete to hospital

6. Activating EMS  Need to have a working relationship between sports medicine staff and emergency medical personnel  Working telephone must be available Must have a back up plan for communication

7.  Communicate to EMS Name, address, and phone number of caller’s location Number of athletes injured Condition of the injured athlete Care and treatment currently being provided Specific directions to scene Other information requested by dispatcher

8. Emergency Equipment  All equipment needed to handle an emergency situation must be on site or readily available Stretcher/backboard Neck brace Slings Splints Crutches AED  Individuals providing care must be knowledgeable in the use of the equipment

10. Transportation  EMS providers and ambulance should be on standby at any event where there is a high risk of injuries Football 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

11. 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 injury Fractures Dislocations Eye injuries Severe asthma attack Heat-related illness Shock

12.  Non-emergency Any medical illness or injury that does not pose a serious threat to life or limb Abrasions Minor cuts Muscle strains Ligament sprains Minor concussions without loss of consciousness Contusions Tendonitis  All injuries must be reported to medical staff no matter how serious the condition

13. 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 preference Family doctor’s phone numbers Parental permission to treat and transport

15.  http://www.heartrescuenow.com/ http://www.heartrescuenow.com/

17. People Involved and their roles  Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) First responder to athlete down on field Call 911 if a life threatening emergency  Athletic Training Student (ATS) Call 911 if a life threatening emergency Get athlete’s file and call parents  Coach Explain to the team what is going on and keep them occupied Talk to parents

18.  Administrators Deal with media/press Concerned parents calling the school  EMS Transport athlete to hospital  Parents Transport athlete to hospital if non-life threatening Call 911 if they are a bystander at practice

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

20. 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

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

22. 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