Athletic Training Emergency Action Plan*

* Adapted from the NCAA Sports Sciences Emergency Template.

Introduction

The purpose of this plan is to prepare the athletic training staff and students, along with athletic department personnel in responding to and providing care in emergency situations. Emergency situations may arise at any time during athletic events. Expedient action must be taken in order to provide the best possible care to the student athlete in the event an emergency and/or life threatening conditions occur. The development and implementation of an emergency action plan will help ensure the best care will be provided.

Components of the Emergency Plan

There are three basic components of this plan, emergency personnel, emergency communication, and emergency equipment.

• Emergency Plan Personnel

  During athletic practices and competitions, the FIRST RESPONDER to an emergency situation is typically a member of the athletic staff, most commonly a student or certified athletic trainer. A Team Physician may not always be present at every organized practice or competition. The nature of athletic medicine coverage for an athletic event at Southeast Missouri State University may vary widely, based on such factors as the sport or activity, the setting and the type of training or competition.

  There are four basic roles within an emergency team:

  The first and most important role is the immediate care of the student athlete. The most qualified individual on the scene will be in charge of providing care in an emergency situation

  The second role, equipment retrieval, will be done by anyone on the emergency team who is familiar with the types and location of the specific equipment needed. This includes all emergency and athletic personnel.

  The third role, EMS activation, may be necessary in situations where emergency transportation is not already present at the sporting event. This will be done as soon as the situation is deemed an emergency or life-threatening event. Activation of the EMS system may be done by anyone on the emergency team. (Athletic staff and campus police)

  The fourth role, occurs after EMS has been activated, that of directing EMS to the scene. One member of the team will be responsible for meeting EMS personnel as they arrive at the site of the contest. Campus police will perform this role. This person should remain stationed at the appropriate pre-arranged arrival site until EMS arrives. Be prepared to unlock and open any gates and/or doors as needed for appropriate access.

  **It is vital that the emergency team use the appropriate arrival sites, in that the person activating EMS and giving them directions uses the same arrival site as that person meeting and directing them.

  Activation of the EMS system

  Making the Call

  1. Dial 911 from any on- or off-campus phone
  2. This will also notify campus police and summon them to scene.

  Providing Information:
  
  Identification and location of the caller (John Smith, Student Athletic Trainer, Softball field at the corner of Bertling and Sprigg Street)

  Number of injured student athletes
  
  The condition of student athlete/s
  
  First Aid treatment initiated by the First Responder

  Directions needed to locate the emergency scene ("come to field entrance gate in right field located off of Bertling Street")

  Other information as requested by the campus police dispatcher

• Emergency Communication

  Access to a working telephone or other communications device, whether fixed or mobile, will be assured. The communications systems will be checked prior to each practice or competition to ensure proper working order. Cellular phones may be used when available. Landlines are available at all venues for use. EMS may be activated by calling 911 from any on or off campus phone line.

• Emergency Equipment

  All necessary emergency equipment will be at the site of practice or competition and quickly accessible. Personnel will be familiar with the function and operation of each type of emergency equipment. All equipment should be in excellent working condition and checked regularly.

• Transportation

  Emphasis is placed on having an ambulance on site at high-risk sporting events. EMS response time is additionally factored in when determining on site ambulance coverage. EMS should be contacted for transportation of any emergency or life threatening conditions. Emergency team members should not transports unstable injuries in inappropriate vehicles. Having completed a primary survey assists the emergency care provider in identifying emergencies requiring critical intervention and in determining transport decisions. Care must be taken to ensure that the activity areas are supervised should the emergency care provider leave the site in transporting the athlete.

Conclusion

The importance of being properly prepared when athletic emergencies arise cannot be overstated. A student-athlete's survival may depend on the training and preparation of our athletic healthcare providers. This emergency plan should be reviewed regularly along with the athletic personnel, emergency service personnel, and event management personnel. Development and implementation of the emergency action plan helps ensure Southeast Missouri State University will have the best care provided when an emergency situation does arise.

Emergency Phone Numbers