Revised April, 2013
Emergency situations may arise at anytime during athletic events. Expedient action must be taken in order to provide the best possible care to the sport participant of emergency and/or life threatening conditions. The development and implementation of an emergency plan will help ensure that the best care will be provided.
As emergencies may occur at anytime and during any activity, the athletic personnel must be prepared. Athletic organizations have a duty to develop an emergency plan that may be implemented immediately when necessary and to provide appropriate standards of emergency care to all sports participants. This preparation involves formulation of an emergency plan, proper coverage of events, maintenance of appropriate emergency equipment and supplies, utilization of appropriate emergency medical personnel, and continuing education in the area of emergency medicine and planning. Hopefully, through careful pre-participation physical screenings, adequate medical coverage, safe practice and training techniques and other safety avenues, some potential emergencies may be averted. However, accidents and injuries are inherent with sports participation, and proper preparation on the part of the sports medicine team should enable each emergency situation to be managed appropriately.
Components of the Emergency Plan
These are the basic components of this plan:
1. emergency personnel
2. emergency communication
3. emergency equipment
4. roles of first responder
5. emergency action plan for non-medical emergency
6. venue directions
Emergency Plan Personnel
With athletic practice and competition, the first responder to an emergency situation is typically a member of the sports medicine staff, most commonly a certified athletic trainer. A team physician may not always be present at every organized practice or competition. The type and degree of sports medicine coverage for an athletic event may vary widely, based on such factors as the sport or activity, the setting, and the type of training or competition. The first responder in some instances may be a coach or other institutional personnel. The development of an emergency plan cannot be complete without the formation of an emergency team. The emergency team may consist of a number of healthcare providers including physicians, emergency medical technicians, certified athletic trainers; student athletic trainers; coaches; managers; and, possibly, bystanders. Roles of these individuals within the emergency team may vary depending on various factors such as the number of members of the team, the athletic venue itself, or the preference of the head athletic trainer. There are four basic roles within the emergency team. The first and most important role is establishing safety of the scene and immediate care of the athlete. Acute care in an emergency situation should be provided by the most qualified individual on the scene. Individuals with lower credentials should yield to those with more appropriate training. The second role, EMS activation, may be necessary in situations where emergency transportation is not already present at the sporting event. This should be done as soon as the situation is deemed an emergency or a life-threatening event. Time is the most critical factor under emergency conditions. Activating the EMS system may be done by anyone on the team. However, the person chosen for this duty should be someone who is calm under pressure and who communicates well over the telephone. This person should also be familiar with the location and address of the sporting event. The third role, equipment retrieval may be done by anyone on the emergency team who is familiar with the types and location of the specific equipment needed. Student athletic trainers, managers, and coaches are good choices for this role. The fourth role of the emergency team is that of directing EMS to the scene. One member of the team should be responsible for meeting emergency medical personnel as they arrive at the site of the emergency. Depending on ease of access, this person should have keys to any locked gates or doors that may slow the arrival of medical personnel. A student athletic trainer, manager, or coach may be appropriate for this role.
Roles within the Emergency Team
1. Establish scene safety and immediate care of the athlete by the athletic trainer or physician.
2. Activation of the Emergency Medical System (EMS)
3. Emergency equipment retrieval
4. Direction of EMS to scene
Activating the EMS System
Making the Call:
1. Notify Campus Police at 589-2222
2. Call 911 (if available)
3. Telephone numbers for local police, fire department, and ambulance service
Providing Information:
1. Name, address, telephone number of caller
2. Nature of emergency, whether medical or non-medical*
3. Number of athletes
4. Condition of athlete(s)
5. First aid treatment initiated by first responder
6. Specific directions as needed to locate the emergency scene
6. Other information as requested by dispatcher
* if non-medical, refer to the specific non-medical emergency action plan
When forming the emergency team, it is important to adapt the team to each situation or sport. It may also be advantageous to have more than one individual assigned to each role. This allows the emergency team to function even though certain members may not always be present.
Emergency Communication
Communication is the key to quick emergency response. Athletic trainers and emergency medical personnel must work together to provide the best emergency response capability and should have contact information such as telephone numbers established as a part of pre-planning for emergency situations. Communication prior to the event is a good way to establish boundaries and to build rapport between both groups of professionals. If emergency medical transportation is not available on site during a particular sporting event then direct communication with the emergency medical system at the time of injury or illness is necessary.
Access to a working telephone or other telecommunications device, whether fixed or mobile, should be assured. The communications system should be checked prior to each practice or competition to ensure proper working order. A back-up communication plan should be in effect should there be failure of the primary communication system. The most common method of communication is a public telephone. However, a cellular phone is preferred if available. At any athletic venue, whether home or away, it is important to know the location of a workable telephone. Pre-arranged access to the phone should be established if it is not easily accessible.
Equipment
All necessary emergency equipment will be at the site or in the training room and quickly accessible. Personnel should be familiar with the function and operation of each type of emergency equipment. Equipment should be in good operating condition, and personnel must be trained in advance to use it properly. Emergency equipment should be checked on a regular basis and use rehearsed by emergency personnel. The emergency equipment available should be appropriate for the level of training for the emergency medical providers.
It is important to know the proper way to care for and store the equipment as well. Equipment should be stored in a clean and environmentally controlled area. It should be readily available when emergency situations arise.
Medical Emergency Transportation
Emphasis is placed at having an ambulance on site at high risk sporting events. EMS response time is additionally factored in when determining on site ambulance coverage. Consideration is given to the capabilities of transportation service available (i.e., Basic Life Support or Advanced Life Support) and the equipment and level of trained personnel on board the ambulance. In the event that an ambulance is on site, there should be a designated location with rapid access to the site and a cleared route for entering/exiting the venue.
In the medical emergency evaluation, the primary survey assists the emergency care provider in identifying emergencies requiring critical intervention and in determining transport decisions. In an emergency situation, the athlete should be transported by ambulance, where the necessary staff and equipment is available to deliver appropriate care. Emergency care providers should refrain from transporting unstable athletes in inappropriate vehicles. Care must be taken to ensure that the activity areas are supervised should the emergency care provider leave the site in transporting the athlete. Any emergency situations where there is impairment in level of consciousness (LOC), airway, breathing, or circulation (ABC) or there is neurovascular compromise should be considered a “load and go” situation and emphasis placed on rapid evaluation, treatment and transportation. In order to provide the best possible care for Thiel athletics, all emergencies are to be transported to UPMC Horizon hospital in Greenville, Pa.
Non-Medical Emergencies
For the following non-medical emergencies: fire, bomb threats, severe weather and violent or criminal behavior, refer to the Thiel campus police at 724-588-2222.
Conclusion
The importance of being properly prepared when athletic emergencies arise cannot be stressed enough. An athlete’s survival may hinge on how well trained and prepared athletic healthcare providers are in assessing emergency situations. It is prudent to invest athletic department “ownership" in the emergency plan by involving the athletic administration and sport coaches as well as sports medicine personnel. The emergency plan should be reviewed at least once a year with all athletic personnel. Through development and implementation of the emergency plan, the athletic department helps ensure that the athlete will have the best care provided when an emergency situation does arise.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
The following are guidelines for emergency situations at Thiel College.
INJURY OCCURRING DURING PRACTICE/GAME
1. The coach should send for the Certified Athletic Trainer. The coach should hold the athlete motionless until the athletic trainer arrives.
2. The coach should brief the athletic trainer on the mechanism of the injury, symptoms, and any other pertinent information.
3. The athletic trainer will conduct the evaluation and make a decision as to the disposition of the injury, and the appropriate course of action.
4. If the situation is an emergency, the athletic trainer will activate the EMS system.
IF THE CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER IS UNAVAILABLE, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED:
1. Stabilize the athlete. Check for breathing and pulse. If both are not present, the coach should send another responsible person to call campus police (ext.2222) for an ambulance, initiate CPR if certified to do so.
2. The coach or assistant should obtain the athletes’ insurance form and take it to the hospital with the athlete.
3. When the ambulance arrives, allow EMT’s and paramedics to work on the athlete and clear any unnecessary people from the area. Make sure the athletes’ parents are contacted as soon as possible.
FOR NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES:
1. The coach should send for the athletic trainer or call on the radio, indicating a potential injury. The coach should give their location, and remain with the athlete until the athletic trainer arrives.
2. The coach should brief the athletic trainer on the mechanism of injury, and any other pertinent information.
3. The athletic trainer will conduct on evaluation of the athlete, and make a decision as to the extent of the injury, and take the appropriate action.
IF THE CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER IS UNAVAILABLE, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE SHOULD BE USED:
1. The coach should make note of the injury, instructing the athlete to see the athletic trainer the next day for further evaluation. The coach may also leave a message on the answering machine with the name and injury of the athlete.
2. The athlete needs to be instructed that if their symptoms should increase, they should contact campus police (ext.2222) and be transported to UPMC Horizon hospital for further evaluation.
3. The coach should only give ICE to the athlete for pain and swelling. NEVER give the athlete any type of medication or ointments.
PROCEDURES FOR ATHLETES FROM A VISITING TEAM TRAVELLING WITHOUT AN ATHLETIC TRAINER:
1. The Thiel College athletic training staff will assist the athlete with any injuries and will decide what course of action to take.
2. If the situation is a medical emergency, an ambulance will be notified through our EMS system and the athlete will be transported to UPMC Horizon hospital. The visiting team is responsible for contacting the athlete’s family and for providing the proper insurance information.
3. All other non-life threatening injuries will be treated using first-aid protocols, and the visiting coach will be instructed to have the athlete be seen by the athletic trainer at their institution.
VENUE DIRECTIONS FOR EMS
Alumni Stadium (football, soccer) - College Ave. to Amelia Earhart Ave., first entrance to the gymnasium. Access to field is in the right corner.
Rissell-Schreyer Dome (Men's Lacrosse, Women's Lacrosse) - College Ave. to Amelia Earhart Ave., first entrance to the gymnasium. Access to field is in the right corner.
Rissell-Beeghly Gymnasia (basketball, wrestling, volleyball) - College Ave. to Amelia Earhart Ave., take first right to the parking lot and enter the back doors of gymnasium.
The Baseball Field at Tomcat Park- College Ave to Ridgeway Ave, Left on Ridgeway Ave, Right onto Roy Johnson Drive Continue Back to Baseball Field.
The Softball Field at Tomcat Park- - College Ave to Ridgeway Ave, Left on Ridgeway Ave, Right onto Roy Johnson Drive Continue past Baseball field and turn right through green gate to Softball Field.
Thiel Tennis Courts- College Ave Continue right onto SR 18/ Packard Ave, Left onto Thiel Street from SR/18 Packard Ave, Continue past Passavant Center to Tennis Courts.
East Acres- - College Ave Continue right onto SR 18/ Packard Ave, Continue Right on Packard off of SR 18 Enter through Green Gate where Packard and Mill Hill Rd intersect.
