FCHS Return to Play Protocol

FCHS Return To Play Protocol

Athletic Injury and Accident Reports

1.  Dylan McCarter, ATC

a.  Office: Arena, room 970

b.  Cell: (678) 983-3142

c.  Email:

2.  Injuries to student/athletes will occur. Proper and immediate care will help reduce the amount of time a student athlete will miss from team participation. The best way to ensure that the athlete returns to play as soon as possible is to COMMUNICATE with the athletic trainer.

3.  At the conclusion of a practice or contest and prior to leaving for home, the injured student athlete must check in with the athletic trainer. If the athletic trainer is not present, the student athlete must check with the coach, who must in turn communicate with the athletic trainer.

4.  A phone call home may be necessary to alert and inform parents. Any injury beyond standard bumps and bruises requires contact with Coach McCarter.

5.  If breaks, fractures or head/spine injuries are suspected call 911 immediately. Under no circumstances should a student drive a vehicle with any type of suspected head or neck injury. A follow-up phone call to the parents is a good practice.

6.  If an injury require immediate medical attention (ie. Emergency room, ambulance, or office visit) an injury reports should be filled out and submitted within 24 hours. (Forms found in filing cabinet in mail room)

7.  If the injury requires an examination by a physician, the student athlete may not return to practice or competition without written permission from the physician. The student athlete should see the athletic trainer before the decision is made to see the physician. The coach must record the physician’s permission.

8.  If a student athlete does not practice or compete for five consecutive days or longer due to illness or injury, the student/athlete must have permission to re-enter competition from his/her personal physician.

9.  A student should not participate in a contest until the Athletic Trainer has an opportunity to evaluate the student's skill and conditioning levels. There are several areas that the athletic trainer must evaluate to determine that the student athlete is ready to return to competition. They must be pain free or have manageable pain at the injury site. They must demonstrate full and equal range of motion, along with full and equal strength in the injured extremity. Finally, they must be able to perform all functional activities of their sport/position with no pain or limitations.

10.  NO STUDENT ATHLETE WILL RETURN TO COMPETITION FROM AN INJURY WITHOUT PROPER CLEARANCE FROM THE ATHLETIC TRAINER AND AN APPROVED MEDICAL DOCTOR.