BrevardCollege Athletic Training

General Emergency Action Plan

The purpose of this document is to provide instructions to members of the Brevard College Athletic Department in the event of a medical emergency regarding a student-athlete. An emergency is any sudden life threatening injury or illness that requires immediate medical attention. An emergency plan must exist for all organized practices and competitions, including out of season training, strength training and conditioning workouts. During an emergency expedient action must be taken in order to provide the best possible treatment to the student-athlete. This emergency plan will help ensure the best care is provided to our student-athlete’s. All members of the athletic department who work directly with athletes are required to familiarize themselves with this plan. Throughout the year there may be many times in which a Certified Athletic Trainer or medical professional is not immediately available. This places athletic personnel, most likely coaches, in the position of potentially providing emergency medical services in the form of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid. Hopefully, potential emergencies will be avoided by thorough physical screenings of an athlete prior to participation in any sport. Also, safe practices, including training techniques, and adequate medical coverage should be taken into consideration. However, accidents and injuries are inherent with sports participation. Therefore, proper preparation on the part of the athletic staff will enable each emergency situation to be managed appropriately. If you have any questions about the enclosed plan, please contact the Head Athletic Trainer Joshua Smallwood or the Associate Athletic Trainer Joshua Owen.

An Emergency Action Plan consists of three basic components: Emergency Personnel, Emergency Communication and Emergency Equipment.

  1. Emergency Personnel

The type and degree of sports medicine coverage for an athletic event (practice or contest) may vary based on factors such as the particular sport or activity, the setting, and the type of training or competition. With the majority of athletic contests and practices, the first responder to an emergency situation is typically a member of the sports medicine staff, most commonly a Certified AthleticTrainer (ATC). A Team Physician may also be present at some athletic events. EMTs will be available at football games.

Roles of these individuals within the emergency team may vary depending on various factors such as number of members of the team, the athletic venue itself, or the preference of the head athletic trainer. Roles within the emergency team include:

A. Immediate Care of the Athlete

(by those with highest level of health training)

B. Emergency Equipment Retrieval

C. Activation of Emergency Medical Services

D. Directions to the Emergency Site (EMS)

A. Immediate Care of the Athlete The first and most important role is 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. This should be determined in advance of each training session

B. Emergency Equipment Retrieval The second 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. Coaches and support staff are good individuals for this role. Important emergency equipment is noted below.

C. Activation of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) The third role, EMS activation, should be done as soon as the situation is deemed an“emergency” or “life-threatening event”. Time is the most critical factor. 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, who communicates well, and who is familiar with the location of the sporting event. STEPS FOR ACTIVATION ARE NOTED BELOW

D. Directions to the Emergency Site After EMS has been activated, one member of the team should be responsible for meeting theemergency medical personnel as they arrive at the site of the contest, if they are not already there.Depending on ease of access, this person should have keys to any locked gates or doors that mayhinder the arrival of medical personnel. This individual is also responsible for contacting Campus Security, notifying them of EMS activation and the emergency location.

  1. Emergency Communication
  1. Activation of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) In the event that an emergency occurs involving a student athlete, a member of the Emergency Team should promptly contact Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Phone numbers of emergency personnel should be posted by the phone or in the medical kit. It is the responsibility of the certifiedathletic trainer or the coach (if an athletic trainer is not present) to bring a cellular phone to the field. A back up communication plan should be in effect if there should be failure of the primary communication system. It is important to note in advance the location of a workable telephone. Prearranged access to the phone should be established if it is not easily accessible. A cellular phone with back up battery is preferred.
  2. Contacting the Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

1. If EMT’s are at the event, then a signal (discussed in advance) should be given to summon them forward.

2. If EMS is not on site activate by calling 911, this is followed by call Campus Security at 828-884-8295

3. The following information should be provided to the dispatcher:

a) Your name

b) Exact location where the injury occurred and where you will meet them

c) The number you are calling from

d) The athlete’s chief complaint

e) The athlete’s age

f) The athlete’s level of consciousness

g) The athlete’s breathing condition (is the athlete breathing or having difficulty breathing

h) The care being provided

i) Make sure that you hang up only after the dispatcher has hung up

4. Notify someone from the sports medicine staff. Numbers are enclosed below.

5. As EMS is being dispatched, make sure someone is designated to retrieve any needed emergency equipment from the sidelines.

6. Have the coaches’ serve as crowd control and keep other athletes away from victim.

7. Send someone to meet the ambulance at the designated spot.

8. A member of the sports medicine staff or coach will accompany the injured athlete to the hospital (TransylvaniaRegionalHospital). The member of the sports medicine staff should bring medical and/or insurance information with them to the hospital if accessible.

  1. Emergency Equipment

The majority of emergency equipment will be under the control of a member of the sports medicine staff (ie: physician, ATC) or EMT’s. The highest trained provider at the event should be aware of what equipment is readily available at the venue or event. All necessary emergency equipment should be quickly accessible. Appropriate personnel should be familiar with the function and operation of available equipment. The equipment should be in good condition and checked regularly.

The highest trained member of the staff should determine in advancethe type and manner in which any equipment is at or to be delivered to the site. Unless immediately adjacent to a training room, non-sports medicine staff members should rely on emergency medical services for all equipment.

The Following is a list of important available equipment and their locations:

  1. Anaphylaxis Kit: available in the athletic training room. The anaphylaxis kit is in the locked cabinet in the head athletic trainer’s office. The anaphylaxis kit is on the second shelf. (Note: If athletic trainer is on site, an anaphylaxis kit is located in the sports med. Kit carried by the Athletic trainer)
  2. Splints: available in the athletic training room or on site with the ATC (which will be handled by the ATC or the physician). The splint bag that is in the athletic training room is located near the bookshelf (red splint bag)
  3. Automatic Electronic Defibrillators (AED’s): If not already with the athletic trainer one AED will be located in the athletic training room in the glass box next to the head athletic trainer’s office. The second AED will be located in the athletic training room in the football barn

Appendix A

BrevardCollege Emergency Numbers

Emergency Number911

BrevardCollege Campus Security828-884-8295

TransylvaniaRegionalHospital828-883-5243

Head Athletic Trainer

Joshua Smallwood 828-884-8316

Associate Athletic Trainer

Joshua Owen 828-884-8272

Athletic Director

Kim Pate828-884-8108

Associate Athletic Director

Juan Mascaro 828-884-8394

Appendix B

BrevardCollege Athletic Training Emergency Action Plan

Responsibilities of Each Member of the Emergency Plan

1)Supervising Certified Athletic Trainer

a)If on site:

i)Primary Survey

ii)Activate emergency Action Plan

iii)Perform first aid until emergency medical services arrive

iv)Calm and reassure the athlete

v)Travel with athlete when transported

vi)Follow rest of the emergency action plan

b)If not on site:

i)Arrive on scene immediately after notification

ii)Assess situation

iii)Conduct primary survey

iv)Provide appropriate emergency care until emergency medical service arrive

v)Supply emergency medical services with emergency medical history and insurance information

vi)Fill out proper paperwork

2)Traffic Controller:

a)Keep other students and student-athletes away from the site

b)Keep spectators away from the site

3)Athletic Training Room Phone Person:

a)Call 911

i)Location

ii)Phone Number: Athletic Training Room 828-884-8316

(1)Cell Numbers

iii)Athlete’s chief complaint

iv)Athlete’s age

v)Athlete’s level of consciousness

vi)Athlete’s breathing condition (athlete is breathing or having difficulty breathing)

vii)Remain on the phone until the 911 operator hangs up

b)Inform the 911 operator of:

c)Inform the Certified Athletic Trainer of the situation

d)Call Campus Security (828-884-8295)

4)Emergency Flag Person:

a) Arrive at location to flag down emergency medical services

b)Have keys to unlock and open gates or doors

c) Direct emergency medical services to injury site

5)Coach:

a) If there is no Certified Athletic Trainer on scene:

i)Stabilize the student-athlete.

ii) Send an athlete to summon a Certified Athletic Trainer and/or activate emergency medical services (call 911)

iii) If the Certified Athletic Trainer is not available

(1) Provide first-aid based on level of education/certification.
(2) Aid emergency medical services in any way possible
(3)Immediately notify Certified Athletic Trainer of the situation.

6)BrevardCollege Security Guard:

a) Assist athletic trainers in any way possible

b) Unlock and open any doors and gates

c) Assist emergency medical services with location of injury site.

d)Go-between on radio for status of emergency medical services.

Appendix C

Emergency Plan

  1. Primary Survey (on site certified athletic trainer and/or Coach)
  2. Check Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
  3. Secondary Survey
  4. Quick assessment and evaluation.
  5. Activate emergency action plan
  6. Call athletic training room.
  7. Explain situation and give location of injury site
  8. Stabilize the athlete until a Certified Athletic Trainer arrives.
    (If the certified athletic trainer is on the site he/she will be responsible for the activation and their part of the emergency plan)
  9. Activate emergency medical services; call 911
  10. Inform 911 operator:
  11. Location
  12. Phone Number (Athletic Training Room 828-884-8316)
  13. Athlete's chief complain
  14. Athlete's age
  15. Athlete's level ofconsciousness
  16. Athlete is breathing or having difficulty breathing
  17. Remain on phone until 911 operator hangs up.
  18. Inform Certified Athletic Trainer of situation
  19. Call and inform Campus Security of the situation (828-884-8295)
  20. Certified Athletic Trainer arrives on the scene
  21. Arrive on scene immediately
  22. Act, calm, cool, collective.
  23. Assess the situation
  24. Provide proper first aid and/or medical care to injured athlete.
  25. Supply emergency medical services with emergency information.
  26. Afterwards inform parents of situation.
  27. Afterwards fill out paper work
  28. Traffic/Crowd Controller
  29. Control traffic and keep back spectators.
  30. Keep other student and athletes back.
  31. If Campus Security are on the scene they will be responsible for traffic/crowd control
  32. Gate Keeper
  33. Unlock all gates
  34. Flag down emergency medical services and point in the right direction to the injury is
  35. If Campus Security are on the scene they will be responsible for unlocking gates and assisting with emergency medical services with a prompt arrival.

Appendix D

Guidelines For Emergency Care to Specific Injuries or Illness

Spinal Injury

  • Check the airway, breathing, and circulation, and administer CPR as needed.
  • Have someone else call 911 (EMS)
  • Support cervical spine by positioning hands on side of head. Do not leave this position until
  • instructed to do so by the EMS crew.
  • Have someone else prevent or treat for shock while you maintain your position at the head.
  • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE ATHLETE unless the athlete is in danger as a result of
  • his/her location.
  • (If the athlete is moved, proper backboard and cervical support must be used)
  • Retrieve oxygen, CPR mask and AED incase needed.
  • Reassure the athlete to stay calm.

Major Fracture

  • Treat the athlete for shock
  • Symptoms: Restless or irritability, altered level of consciousness, nausea or vomiting, rapid breathing or pulse, pale, cool, moist or ashen skin and excessive thirst.
  • Apply basic first aid
  • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REDUCE THE FRACTURE
  • Splint, making sure the athlete continues to have a distal pulse and sensation.
  • Transport the athlete to the hospital.

Major Joint Dislocations

  • Treat the athlete for shock
  • Symptoms: Restless or irritability, altered level of consciousness, nausea or vomiting, rapid breathing or pulse, pale, cool, moist or ashen skin and excessive thirst.
  • Apply basic first aid
  • DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REDUCE THE DISLOCATION
  • Splint, making sure the athlete continues to have a distal pulse and sensation.
  • Transport the athlete to the hospital.

Heat Illness

  • Remove the athlete from the heat.
  • Remove excess clothing
  • Determine severity of the illness
  • Monitor ABC’s
  • Attempt to cool the body (ice bath preferred)
  • Stay with the athlete at all times
  • Call 911 if needed

Cardiac Problems

  • Check the airway, breathing, and circulation, and administer CPR as needed
  • Treat for shock
  • Symptoms: Restless or irritability, altered level of consciousness, nausea or vomiting, rapid breathing or pulse, pale, cool, moist or ashen skin and excessive thirst.
  • Activate EMS
  • Put athlete in a comfortable position
  • Retrieve oxygen, CPR mask and AED incase needed.

Any Other Emergency Situation

  • Check the ABCs
  • Apply basic first aid
  • Prevent and/or treat for shock
  • Symptoms: Restless or irritability, altered level of consciousness, nausea or vomiting, rapid breathing or pulse, pale, cool, moist or ashen skin and excessive thirst.
  • When in doubt activate EMS
  • Retrieve oxygen, CPR mask and AED incase needed.